In the form of Tejas this term was formerly applied by the Spaniards to the Hasinai Indian tribes of Angelina and the Upper Neches valleys and later to the territory they occupied - the state of Texas. However, before the coming of the Spaniards, the tribes of east Texas used the word as one of greeting, meaning "Welcome," or "Hello, Friend!" It also meant "friends" or "allies."
The word "texas" was used later as a name for the "third story," surrounding the pilothouse, of a Mississippi River steamboat.
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