He has become a 'folk hero' in his home state because of the work he has done to help poor children.
He doesn't much care for city 'folk'. [=people who live in a city]
His 'folks' gave him everything a kid could want.
(..) What would you have me do, Lord Commander? I'd have you go north of the Wall. Gather the remaining free folk wherever they are and bring them back here. I'll open the gates for them and let them through. I'll find them lands to settle south of the Wall. (..)2015 TvShow: Game of Thrones Title: Kill the Boy Season: 5 Episode 5
(..) Winter is almost upon us. Kill the boy and let the man be born. Where are the rest of the free folk now? Where have they gone? Who leads them? They followed Mance. They won't follow anyone else. (..)2015 TvShow: Game of Thrones Title: Kill the Boy Season: 5 Episode 5