Texas comes from the word "teysha" meaning "hello friend" in the language of the Caddo Indian tribes. Spanish explorers and settlers used the same word when referencing the to the friendly tribes throughout the Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma areas.

The overall design was adopted as the state flag at the time of the states' admission to the union in 1845. The single white star was first used on Texas flags in the mid 1830's during the battles with Mexico. It remains to this day as a symbol of the triumphs of the "lone star state". As with the flag of the United States, the blue stands for loyalty, the white represents purity, and the red is for bravery.