The Origin and Meaning of the Tennessee Nicknames
The American citizens who live in, or who come from Tennessee, are referred to as Tennesseans or Tennesseeans. The history, origin and meaning of each of the state's nicknames are as follows: The Volunteer State
The official nickname of the Volunteer State alludes to refers to the War of 1812. The War of 1812 (aka the second war of independence) was a conflict between the United States and Great Britain and its allies. Thousands of brave men from Tennessee volunteered to Governor William Blount’s call for enlistment. Leaders of the war included Andrew Jackson, James Madison and Zebulon Pike. The Battle of Baltimore, fought in 1814, inspired the lyrics of "The Star-Spangled Banner" the American national anthem. The Mother of Southwestern Statesmen
The Mother of Southwestern Statesmen is because Tennessee was the home of three presidents: Andrew Jackson, James Polk, andrew Johnson and a number of other leaders who served with distinction in high government office. 
The Butternut State
Butternut trees are a species of walnut native to the eastern United States. Butternuts were the nickname given Confederate soldiers who wore butternut-colored uniforms The Big Bend State
The Big Bend nickname is a reference to The Indian name for the Tennessee River, "The river with the big bend". | 
