Why are people from __ called ___?

[andrewalston]

Westhoughton, Lancashire, (or any of its inhabitants) is referred to derogatively by Boltonians as "Cay-yed".
The name derives from a story about a Westhoughton farmer who found one of his cows with its head stuck in the woodwork of a new gate.
To resolve the situation, he cut off the animal's head.
Locally, Westhoughton is "Howfen", and an inhabitant a "Howfner".

[Rena]

My home town is Portishead, Somerset - locally called "Posset".

So, people from there are Possetonians!

I have never found an explanation as to why the town is called Possett?

I've just come across this thread again and I remembers as a child us bains (Hullensian for children) were given possets when we were poorly.   Our mother gave us a hot sweetened milk with the addition of rum.  I believe the addition to the milk of any other alcohol with or without spices will do.   

[ThrelfallYorky]

Other half's father used to quote the "Cow's Yed" story - and he came from that area, so that's a bit of confirmation.

[cms]

People from Tamworth, Staffordshire, are, according to the local paper, called Sandybacks, after the Tamworth pig, a sandy- coloured pig breed, bred by the Peels. (Sir Robert Peel, Prime Minister's family.)   However I think this name is fairly recent. Having been brought up in Tamworth I had never heard of it as a child. Tammie is another name.

[MadaboutRoses1883]

My Dad was born in Morecambe and he always referred to himself or anyone born in Morecambe as Sand Grown 'un's.
Locals used to say it was the Capital of Yorkshire, as there were more Yorkshire people living there than in Yorkshire.

[Redroger]

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.

Very much disputed as one myself I understand the derogatory term is comes from Lincolnshire
ag labs being so stupid they cleaned themselves from back to front hence the yellow belly.

[a-l]

Redroger I have to admit to not having heard that one . and I'm a yellowbelly too!Thanks for posting it.                              Sue

[Redroger]

Sue, Perhaps I come from a rougher background?

[a-l]

lol Redroger I doubt it. More likely I didn't learn enough!                                                          Sue