A lackey or lacquey is a term for a uniformed manservant, in its original meaning (attested 1529, according to the Oxford English Dictionary).
The modern connotation of "servile follower" appeared later, in 1588 (OED).[1]
There are several theories about the origins of the word. By one theory, it is derived from Medieval French laquais, "foot soldier, footman, servant", ultimately from Turkish ulak, literally "a messenger".[1] In Gaelic, it is a surname related to the word for stone, leac → lackey. Lackey can also mean runner, worker, one-upper.
Lackey is typically used as a derogatory term for a servant with little or no self-respect, who belittles themselves in order to gain advantage.[2] Such advantage is often assumed to be slight, temporary and often illusory. For common verb usage see Toady and Henchman.