The Indians of Texas

The Caddos in east and northeast Texas were perhaps the most culturally developed. They were successful agriculturists who lived in permanent abodes. It was a group within this tribe that the early Spanish authorities called the Tejas, which is said to be the tribes's word for friend. From this origin, the name evolved to become the name for Mexican province, then the republic, and now the state.

Rebuttal and Correction:

It was a neigboring tribe that was a member of the same confederation called Teyas that the early Spanish authorities called the Tejas. They were Atakapa speaking peoples. They called themselves the First Peoples of Texas.

Tejas, which is the Caddo tribes's word for friend. It was in fact in Teyas a word meaning "friend from heaven" or "friend to the Creator". It was also the name of the tribe's first chief. From this origin, the name evolved to become the name for a Mexican province, then to a Republic and now finally a State.

The Caddo came from the northern regions and then settled in the East Texas area after joining the confederacy. They speak thier own tongue, Caddo, which is related to that of the Pawnee and similar language groups. Because of the closeness of the two groups, Caddo and Tejas, it is difficult to distinguish the differences. The major distinction is that thier language base is different.