Pronunciation: 'la-kE, Function: noun, Inflected Form(s): plural lackeys, Etymology: Middle French laquais
A lackey is a term for a uniformed manservant, in its original meaning (attested 1529, according to the OED), which derived from Medieval French laquais, 'foot soldier, footman, servant'. The modern connotation of 'servile follower' appeared later, in 1588 (OED). In the 20th-century rhetoric of some Communist groups, it was used as a derogative word in phrases such as 'lackey of capitalism' or 'lackey of the bourgeoisie'. What is implied is that the person to whom the term is applied, while not himself a member of the bourgeoisie or not deriving high benefits from capitalism, is still subservient to their goals. Such insults are, in particular, applied to leaders of left-wing parties that seek accommodations with the current economic or social system, or to any leader suspect of doing so. The term was so overused that it developed ironic and/or sarcastic overtones by the end of the 20th-century century, especially in deliberately elaborate phrasings such as 'capitalist running-dog lackey'.
Lackey is also a surname. In the middle ages the translation between Gaelic and English was not highly developed and spelling was not yet standardized and so enormous number of spelling variants appear in the records: Lackey, Lackie, Lachie, Lachey, Lakey, Lakie, Leckey, Lecky, Leckie, Lockey and Lockie as well as many others. It is believed to have originally meant 'one who lives at the foot of the stony hills'. It appears to be related to a Gaelic word for stone or flagstone, "leac". There is some question over whether it is a coincidence that this word appears in other languages, or whether these are secondary meanings resulting from a political action taken by a person of that name.
It is not certain when the surname was first used, but it is said that MURDOCH LECHIE was believed to be one of the first recordings of the name in 1348 when he was granted land from King David ll of Scotland. Other early examples of the name include David Lecky who, in 1537 was denounced by the government of Scotland as a rebel. Janet Laiky was recorded in the parish register of Glenylia, Dumbarton in 1599. it appears in London in 1566 when Agnes lackeye married Gregory Flykyn at St Margaret's Westminster.
Since Lackey is said to be an alias affiliated with Clan MacGregor, there may be something to this supposition. The name 'Lackey' may have originated from the ancient Scottish tribe known as "Daldriadans of Dalriada from the rugged western coast of Scotland and on the Hebrides islands. they used the name to indicate a person who lived in the region of Donegal and Derry in Ireland as well. But the first origin of family members were found in Argyll in Scotland.
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