E. De Felice describes this surname as proper to Calabria and derives it from a nickname formed by two elements: the verb scornare ("to break the horns") and ienco, a Calabrian and southern form of giovenco, which means "calf." The whole would allude to someone who "breaks the horns of the calves," in probable reference to strength or stubbornness.

E. Rossoni agrees on the dialect origin of the nickname, but orients it towards the trade of butcher or slaughterer. He breaks down the components as scorna (of intuitive sense) and ienchi, a plural derived from the Latin iovencus, with the meaning of "cattle." Rossoni further specifies that the surname is proper to the Cosenza area and its surrounding region, where it is fairly abundant.