The name Katey is an English diminutive form of the name Katherine. Katherine itself is derived from the ancient Greek name Aikaterine, which is a combination of the Greek words "katharos" meaning "pure" and "hekatos" meaning "each of the two." The name was likely introduced to England after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century.

In the Middle Ages, the name Katherine became associated with the cult of St. Catherine of Alexandria, an early Christian martyr. St. Catherine was venerated as the patron saint of philosophers, preachers, and theologians, and her legendary life story made the name popular across Europe.

The earliest recorded instance of the name Katey dates back to the 16th century. One notable historical figure with this name was Katey Walker (1804-1872), an American entrepreneur and businesswoman who founded the Madame Walker Manufacturing Company, which produced hair care products and cosmetics for African American women.

Another famous Katey was Katey Sagal (born 1954), an American actress and singer-songwriter best known for her roles in the television series "Married... with Children" and "Sons of Anarchy." She has won numerous awards, including a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

In the world of sports, Katey Martin (born 1984) is a former professional basketball player who played in the WNBA for several teams, including the Minnesota Lynx and the Seattle Storm. She was a member of the U.S. national team that won gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

In literature, Katey Sagal (1936-2020) was an American novelist and short story writer. Her works often explored themes of family, identity, and the immigrant experience. She was a recipient of the prestigious PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction.

Finally, in the field of music, Katey Sagal (1921-2001) was a renowned American jazz singer and songwriter. She was known for her unique vocal style and her collaborations with some of the greatest jazz musicians of her time, including Duke Ellington and Dizzy Gillespie.