Why are people from __ called ___?

[Leodensian]

Hello all!

I'm a writer doing some research into place names, specifically why people from certain places are called what they're called. We've all heard of Geordies, Mancunians, Brummies etc., but what I'm really interested in is the lesser-known or more obscure names. For example, people from Sheffield are Dee Dars, South Shields natives are Sandancers ... There are usually various theories as to the whys!

So ... Where you are from and what are people from your home town or city called? Perhaps most importantly, do you know why? For now, I'll need to restrict research to the UK.

Thanks in advance. Look forward to receiving replies!

Jill

[sem73]

Hi Gill

For starters!.... here in Nantwich, Cheshire we are called "dabbers".... numerous theories!..
http://www.dabbersnantwich.me.uk/dabber.htm

Sarah

[a-l]

Lincolnshire ~ Yellow Bellies. Many theories to that too, one being the yellow waistcoats worn by the Militia  but still disputed. Good luck with your book it should be very interesting.

[KGarrad]

Wiltshire - Moonrakers

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moonrakers

[Designer Jeans]

Hampshire hogs

[Rena]

Lincolnshire ~ Yellow Bellies. Many theories to that too, one being the yellow waistcoats worn by the Militia  but still disputed. Good luck with your book it should be very interesting.

I think it's connected to the song;  "The Grand Old Duke of York... who had 10,000 men, he marched them up to the top of the hill and he marched them down again..."

The reason he had his soldiers marching round the hill several times was to fool his red rose brother into thinking he had a bigger army than he actually had.  He shouldn't have had to do that but part of his army seeing the size of the Lancastrian army left the party before it began - they being the Lincolnshire men whose uniform was blue and yellow = the yella bellies.

[Rena]

The Blackburn people call the people of Burnley "Pikeys" - I haven't discovered why as it goes back into the clouds of time, but it could be something to do with the building of a Turnpike road which went through Burnley from Blackburn in the 1750s when Burnley became a relatively rich town.  To progress along a turnpike road you had to pay a fee (a toll) and if you didn't pay you'd be turned back by the pike keeper. (pike = long spear)  It must have been galling to have to pay when once upon a time you could move freely along a well trodden path.

[a-l]

Hi Rena  I have heard that version too. I doubt the true origin will ever be known.  It does make me laugh though when I see car stickers proclaiming " proud to be a yellowbelly" , rather difficult when you don't know the meaning.

[Skoosh]

Galashiels was the last town in the Borders to get mains sewage. The natives were known as "Pailies" as they had were reputed to have a ring mark on their posteriors.

Skoosh.