MARKEY
Markey
Origin and Etymology
Markey is a surname of English and Irish origin. In England, the name is derived from the Old English pre-7th Century personal name "Marc", meaning "famous", combined with the Old Norse "-i", a short form of "Vikingr" or "son of". Meanwhile, in Ireland, the surname Markey is an anglicized form of the Gaelic surname "Ó Muircheartaigh", meaning "descendant of Muircheartach", a personal name derived from "muir", meaning "sea", and "ceardach", meaning "skilful".
Distribution
The Markey surname is found primarily in the United Kingdom and Ireland. In the UK, it is most common in areas with historical connections to Ireland, such as Northern Ireland and parts of England and Scotland with significant Irish immigration. The surname is also present in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries with Irish and British diaspora populations.
Notable Individuals
- Donal Markey (1916-1990): Irish Gaelic footballer who played for Louth and won an All-Ireland Senior Football Championship in 1957.
- Caroline Markey (b. 1985): British novelist known for her works exploring themes of family, identity, and migration in contemporary society.
- Peter Markey (1927-2016): British animator and creator of classic children's television shows such as "Crystal Tipps and Alistair" and "Hattytown Tales".
Coat of Arms
The Markey family crest features elements commonly associated with British and Irish heraldry, including shields, helmets, and animals symbolizing strength, loyalty, and heritage.
There are approximately 1,758 people named Markey in the UK. That makes it roughly the 4,682nd most common surname in Britain. Around 27 in a million people in Britain are named Markey.
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Ireland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Patrick
- Paul
- Peter
- Simon
- Thomas
Female
- Anna
- Anne
- Catherine
- Claire
- Dana
- Elizabeth
- Helen
- Jean
- Margaret
- Mary
- Patricia
- Rose
- Sarah
Similar and related surnames
- Marcey
- Marcy
- Marek
- Marecki
- Marck
- Marcks
- Marckey
- Marcke
- Marcki
- Marec
- Marke
- Maarek
- Marc
- Marge
- Margey
- Marik
- Mark
- Marka
- Markay
- Markee
- Markes
- Markew
- Marki
- Markides
- Markie
- Markies
- Markis
- Markiw
- Markley
- Marko
- Markose
- Markowe
- Marks
- Marksey
- Marku
- Markway
- Marky
- Marque
- Marquie
- Marquies
- Marsey
- Marx
- Maryk
- Maukey
- Mawkes
- Mercey
- Mercie
- Mercy
- Merk
- Merki
- Merkys
- Mirk
- Morcey
- Mork
- Morke
- Morkey
- Murcey
- Murk
- Murkey
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.