Saints in Scottish Place-Names
Funded by a Leverhulme Trust Project Grant
Beccán of Rum
Introduction
Little is known of this saint beyond his obit. In the seventeenth century he was said to have been a brother of Cuimmíne m. Arnáine, abbot of Iona. It is argued by Ó Riain that he might be the same as the hermit called Beccán who, with Séigine of Iona, received a letter about the Pascal question in about 630. It is possible, however, that the hermit is rather to be identified with Beccán m. Lugdach of Tech Conaill, who wrote poetry about Columb Cille (Ó Riain, Dictionary, 93; Clancy and Markus 1995, 129-63).
Gender
Male
Associated places
Rum, Inner Hebrides, Scotland.
Obituary
AU 677.6: Beccan Ruimm quieuit. ‘Beccán of Rum died’
Genealogies
A note added to the Four Masters’ genealogies of kings and saints says that he is a brother of Cuimmíne m. Arnáine, abbot of Iona, who is of the Ceinél Conaill (Ó Riain, Dictionary, 93; CGSH, 338).
Territory or Ethnicity (broad)
Gaelic
Territory or Ethnicity (refined)
N. Uí Néill
Related Saints
Belongs to the group Béc, Bécán (ns) (possible)
Or Beccán of Rum might belong to the group Becc, Beccán.
Belongs to the group Becc, Beccán (ns) (possible)
Beccán of Rum might better be spelt Bécán and assigned to the group Béc, Bécan
Related Personal Names
Name
Bécán (possible)
Name
Beccán (probable)
Feast days
Day of Year
March 17
Calendar
Source code
Mart.T
Source title
Martyrology of Tallaght
Editors
Best, R. I. and Lawlor, H. J.
Year
1931
Notes
From the Book of Lesinter and MS 5100-4 in the Royal Library, Brussels.
Quote from source
Beccan Ruimni
Day of Year
March 17
Calendar
Source code
Mart. G
Source title
Martyrology of Gorman
Editors
Stokes, Whitley
Year
1895
Notes
Full title is Félire Húi Gormáin, The Martyrology of Gorman edited from a manuscript in the Royal library, Brussels, with a preface, translation, notes and indices. It is published by the Henry Bradshaw Society.
Quote from source
feil Becain báin bágaig 'feast of Becán the fair, warlike' gloss: Rúiminn 'of Ruimenn'
Day of Year
March 17
Calendar
Source code
Mart. Do.
Source title
The Martyrology of Donegal
Editors
Todd, J. H.
Year
1864
Notes
Other author to be specified.
Quote from source
Bécán Ruim
Saint in place-names
Though no place-name referring to this particular saint has been identified, it may be that some of the places dedicated to the non-specific group to which he/she belongs may in fact refer to him/her. Please check the non-specific group.
See: Béc, Bécán (ns)
See: Becc, Beccán (ns)