MacKey

MacKey is an Anglicized form of the Irish and Scottish Gaelic surname Mac Aodha. The prefix 'Mac' means 'son of', and 'Aodh' is an ancient Gaelic personal name meaning 'fire'. This name was borne by several legendary figures and early Irish kings. Over time, the surname evolved into various spellings as it was anglicized, with MacKey being one of the more common forms.

The name's prevalence is largely tied to the historical clan system in Ireland and Scotland. Families bearing this name would have been descendants of an ancestor named Aodh. The transition from a patronymic surname to a given name, particularly as a first name, is a more recent phenomenon, often seen in cultures where surnames are sometimes adopted as given names.