Surname McKey - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
McKey: What does the surname McKey mean?
The surname McKey is an Anglicized form of the Irish clan name Mac Aodha, and is derived from the Gaelic phrase meaning “son of Aodh”. Historically, the surname McKey is associated with the clans of the Kingdom of Ulster in the province of Ulster in Northern Ireland. The Aodha family were to the Kingdom of Ulaid what the Ó Néill family were to the Kingdom of Ailech.
This Irish surname abbreviated to McKey when it was anglicized. It is believed that the McKey surname first appeared in early records in the 1600s in Northern Ireland, in County Derry. It is possible that the inhabitants in this county adopted the name after the Scottish Border Clan of MacKie in the 1200s, which developed the surname from the Scots Gaelic personal name Aodh or Aidh.
Since its introduction in Northern Ireland, the McKey surname has spread around the UK, and throughout the world, with those who share the name found in England, Scotland, Wales, the US, and even Australia and New Zealand. Today, this surname gives an indication of respectability, with many people who hold it being well-known and respected.
Order DNA origin analysisMcKey: Where does the name McKey come from?
The surname McKey is a common surname in Ireland, Scotland, England, the United States, Canada, and Australia. It is a Gaelic name derived from the old Irish Mac Aoidh, meaning 'son of AODH'. This is a popular Irish name in the area of Connacht meaning 'fiery' or 'ardent one'.
In the United States, the surname is most commonly found in the Mid-Atlantic region and the South. It is most commonly associated with states such as Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina, where many settlers of Irish descent arrived as early as the 1700s.
In Scotland, the surname of McKey is most commonly found in the nearby areas of the Border Reivers, including the counties of Dumfries, Ayr, and Galloway. It is believed to have been borne by the Scottish and Irish McKey clans in the 11th and 12th centuries.
In Canada, the surname of McKey was popularized by Irish settlers travelling to the eastern coast of the country. It is most commonly found in the Maritime Provinces, including Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.
In Australia, the last name can be seen in many Irish immigrants who arrived in the early 1800s. It was particularly popular in Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, and Queensland.
Today, the last name McKey is widely distributed throughout the English-speaking world. It continues to be a popular Irish surname and is still used by the descendant families of those early settlers.
Variations of the surname McKey
The McKey surname is thought to have originated in the Scottish/Irish culture and has various spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin. McKey is the most common spelling and variant form of the surname, however, other spelling variants include Mackey, McKie, M'Key and M'Kie. In addition to spelling variations, some families have adopted surnames derived from the same foundation. These include affiliations such as McKay, Keay, Kie, MacKie, Key, Keys and Keyes.
McKey is thought to have originated from the Scottish surname MacMhuirich or MacVurich. This name has its roots in the old Gaelic language and means “son of the navigator”. According to the Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia, the earliest recorded ancestor of the McKie family was Gilchrist MacVurich, a charter witness in 1329.
The McKey surname is believed to have had many branches throughout Scotland, with a number of variations of the same name appearing in both Scotland and Ireland. As the name spread to the Americas and other parts of the world, many families have added suffixes and other spelling variations.
The McKey surname has been borne by a number of notable individuals throughout history, including Scottish explorer and sea-captain Alexander Mackay, as well as other notables such as Robert McKey, former vice-president of the United States, and Canadian politician William D. McKey. There are also some famous actors and musicians bearing the McKey name, including Kirk McKey and jazz musician Wally McKey.
Famous people with the name McKey
- Mira McKey: American fashion model
- Colin McKey: Canadian film actor
- Blake McKey: Malaysian visual artist
- Andrew McKey: African-American singer-songwriter
- Emily McKey: Australian actress and producer
- John McKey: British Olympic sprinter
- Allan McKey: American tennis player
- Charles McKey: American professional golfer
- Stephen McKey: Canadian drummer
- Sarah McKey: New Zealand film editor
Other surnames
Comments or additions to the name "McKey"
26.03.2024
I remember a good number of years ago a professional basketball player by the name of Derek McKey. Thought he could be added to the list