Tejanos
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 7,951,193 (2010 Census)) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Texas (Especially San Antonio, El Paso and South Texas) | |
| Languages | |
|
English (Tejano English, other American English dialects) Spanish(American Spanish), Indigenous languages of Mexico |
|
| Religion | |
| Predominantly Roman Catholic | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Californios, Hispanos, Mexicans, Spaniards, Basques, Canarians, Texians, German Texan |
The Tejano [teˈxano] (Spanish for "Texan") are residents of the state of Texas who are culturally descended from the original Spanish-speaking settlers of Texas and northern Mexico. They may be variously of Criollo Spanish or Mexican American heritage but may not necessarily be directly descended from the original settlers.
Historically, the Spanish term Tejano has been used to identify various groups of people. During the Spanish colonial era, the term was primarily applied to Spanish settlers of the region now known as the state of Texas (first it was part of New Spain and after 1821 it was part of Mexico). After settlers entered from the United States and gained the independence of the Republic of Texas, the term was applied to mostly Spanish-speaking Texans, Hispanicized Germans, and other Spanish-speaking residents. In practice, many members of traditionally Tejano communities often have varying degrees of fluency in Spanish with some having virtually no Spanish proficiency though still considered culturally part of the community.
Since the early 20th century, Tejano has been more broadly used to identify a Texan Mexican American. It is also a term used to identify natives, as opposed to newcomers, in the areas settled. Latino people of Texas identify as Tejano if their families were living there before the area was controlled by Anglo Americans.
A dilemma arose a few years ago debating if West Texas residents (born and raised), were considered to be Tejanos. A board committee composed of Odessa and Midland members came to conclusion that people from West Texas are not considered Tejanos as they are categorized as Mexican American people. People with last names such as: Hernandez, Rodriguez, Moreno, Prieto, Subia, Martinez, Diaz, Castro are considered to be fully blooded Mexican as these family groups migrated to West Texas from Northern Mexico in the early 1700s.
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