The spelling of the name "Mehaffey" is not always intuitive. An IPA phonetic transcription can help explain its pronunciation: /məˈheɪfi/. The first syllable is unstressed and pronounced like "uh". The second syllable has the "ay" diphthong (like "eye") followed by "f" and "ee". The final syllable has a short "i" sound followed by the sound "e" (like in "egg"). This transcription can help those unfamiliar with the name pronounce it correctly.
The surname "Mehaffey" is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Old Gaelic name "Mac Dhuibhshíthe", which means "son of the dark fairy" or "dark man of peace". Over time, the name evolved and its spelling changed, eventually becoming "Mehaffey". The name is predominantly found in Scotland and Northern Ireland.