The name Markeith is a relatively modern amalgamation of the more traditional names Mark and Keith. The first component, Mark, finds its origins in the ancient Roman praenomen Marcus, derived from the word "mars" meaning "consecrated to the god Mars". Mark was a common name among early Christians, borne by several biblical figures including the Evangelist who authored the second Gospel.

Keith, on the other hand, traces its roots back to the Gaelic "Caith" meaning "a compact or covenant". It was a popular name among the Scots and emerged as a surname before transitioning into a masculine given name. The spelling variations of Keith, such as Keeth and Keyth, were common in medieval times.

While the exact origins of the amalgamated name Markeith are unclear, it likely emerged as a creative fusion of these two separate names in the late 20th century. One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name was Markeith Loyd, an American basketball player born in 1975.

Among the historical figures who bore the names that comprise Markeith are Saint Mark the Evangelist, the author of the Gospel of Mark, who lived in the 1st century AD. Keith Jarrett, the influential American jazz pianist and composer, was born in 1945 and has had a prolific career spanning over six decades.

Markeith Cummings, an American basketball player, was born in 1992 and played for several teams in the NBA G League and overseas. Markeith Loyd, mentioned earlier, was a collegiate basketball star at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock in the mid-1990s and later played professionally in Europe.

Another notable figure is Markeith Russell, an American football player born in 1980, who played defensive tackle in the NFL for teams like the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions in the early 2000s.