The Irish and Scottish surname Mackey is derived from the Gaelic Mac Aoidh, meaning son of Hugh, when found in Scotland. When found in Ireland the name Mackey comes form the Gealic name O'Machdha meaning " descendant of Macdha " a personal name meaning " virile or manly ". The Scottish Mackeys were a prominent Galwegien family in the 16th and early 17th centuries. Notable bearers of the name include William Mackey the Irish 19th Century Fenian revolutionary. Today there are more than 39,000 bearers of the surname Mackey living in The United States.