Ó Scingín

Ó SCINGÍN—I—O Skynegine, O Skingin, O Skynin, Skinnion, Delahide, Delahoyde; 'descendant of Scingín' (probably diminutive of scing, some article of dress); the name of an ecclesiastical and literary family who were originally erenaghs of Ardcarne, near Boyle, Co. Roscommon, but afterwards migrated to Tirconnell, where they became chroniclers to the O'Donnells. Matthew O Scingin, who died in the year 1289, was chief historian of Ireland in his time. The O Scingins of Tirconnell became extinct towards the end of the 14th century and were succeeded by the O'Clerys, whose ancestor married the heiress of the last ollav of the name. The family has, however, survived in other parts of Ireland; but it would appear that some members of it in Co. Cavan now call themselves Delahide, or Delahoyde, doubtless on the erroneous supposition that 'Skin-' of the one name is to be equated with '-hide ' of the other.

Alphabetical Index to Irish Surnames