Mac Amhalghaidh variant forms of the name. A modern variant is Mac Amhalaí. Another is Mac Amhalaidh. Another variant is Mac Amhalghadha. Variant forms of "Mac Amhalghaidh" and "Mac Amhalghadha" include Mag Amhalghaidh and Mag Amhalghadha. "Mac Amhalghaidh" translates into English as "son of "Amhalghaidh"", or "son of "Amhalghadh"". The surname originated as a patronym, however it no longer refers to the actual name of the bearer's father. The personal name "Amhalghaidh", also spelt "Amhalghadh", is an old Gaelic name, and is of uncertain origin and meaning. "Mac Amhalghaidh" is a masculine surname. The form of this surname for unmarried females is
McKinley (surname) nickname given the deposed MacDunleavy dynasty royals while exiled in Tirconnell and elsewhere. Being, also, one of Ireland's ancient hereditary medical families, the MacDunleavy (variant English spelling MacDonlevy) were in Tirconnell accorded the high Gaelic status of "ollahm leighis" or the official physicians to the O'Donnell clan in County Donegal and practiced as physicians while exiled in Argyll, Scotland. The nickname was Mac an Leigh. Per this scenario the Gaelic language patronymic forming prefix "Mac" (meaning "descended of") is joined to the Gaelic language "Léigh" meaning leech, but denoting a physician. Leeching (medical) having been for millennia, in Gaelic Ireland