Markey is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic surname 'Má Reachaird', which means 'great council'. It was originally a nickname given to someone who was wise and influential in counsel. The name became popular among the Irish immigrants who settled in North America during the 19th century. Today, Markey is still predominantly found within Irish communities but has also started appearing more frequently in other English-speaking countries.
Markey is quite rare; there were only five babies named Markey born annually in 1986, with no additional records since then, suggesting it may not have been a popular choice for parents afterwards.