Texan

Texan is a term most commonly used to refer to a resident or native of the U.S. state of Texas, or to things associated with Texas’s people, culture, or geography. The name Texas itself derives from the Hasinai word tejas, meaning “friends” or “allies,” which early Spanish explorers adopted as Tejas and later as Texas.

Historically, the Texas region was inhabited by various Indigenous peoples long before European contact. It became part of New Spain, then was briefly independent as the Republic of Texas after the 1836 Texan Revolution. Texas joined the United States in 1845 and has since played a prominent role in agriculture, energy, and industry, with major cities including Houston, Dallas–Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio.

Demographically, Texans are diverse, with large Hispanic and Latino communities alongside African American, Asian, and other populations. The state’s economy is broad, spanning energy (oil and gas), technology, manufacturing, healthcare, and agriculture, supported by a large and growing population.

Culturally, Texan life often blends frontier heritage with modern urban culture. Distinctive elements include ranching and cowboy traditions, barbecue and regional cuisines, country and western music, and a strong emphasis on sports, particularly football. The state hosts major cultural and educational institutions and key scientific facilities, such as NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Geographically, Texas covers a wide range of landscapes—from Gulf Coast beaches and fertile plains to the Hill Country and the arid Trans-Pecos region—contributing to varied climates and ecological diversity across the state.