Texas State Motto: Friendship
Fact-checked • Updated December 5, 2025
OFFICIAL STATE SEAL
"Friendship"
Friendship
About This Motto
Texas uses a single word as its motto. Friendship became official in February 1930 after the 41st Legislature approved House Concurrent Resolution No. 22. The choice linked the motto to the state's name, which comes from a Caddo greeting that welcomed others as allies. Lawmakers saw this connection as a way to honor early Indigenous history and to highlight a tradition of openness that continued as people arrived from many parts of the world.
What the Motto Means
Friendship stands on its own. No translation is needed. Lawmakers chose it because the state's name grew from the Caddo word táysha, a greeting used for friends or allies. Spanish explorers recorded it as Tejas. Over time, the spelling shifted and Tejas turned into Texas. Simple path. Clear meaning.
The 1930 resolution spelled out the logic. It described the word Tejas as part of a shared spirit found throughout the state. That idea shaped public life. Once members of the Legislature saw this connection, they made Friendship official. Visitors and new residents were expected to feel welcome under this word.
Historical Background
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1680s - Spanish Explorers Meet the Caddo
Spanish explorers reached East Texas in the late 1600s. In 1689, Father Damián Massanet led an expedition that encountered members of the Hasinai Confederacy. Records describe the Caddo greeting the Spanish as friends. Massanet wrote Tejas in his reports as a name for both the people and the region. Some earlier accounts suggest Spanish expeditions may have heard similar words before 1606.
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1836-1845 - Republic of Texas Era
Texas became an independent republic in 1836. Leaders did not select an official motto during this period. Public phrases like Remember the Alamo became known across the region. These words connected to the fight for independence but were never formal state mottos. The reverse side of the Great Seal still carries Remember the Alamo above a shield, though it holds no official status as a motto.
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1930 - Official Adoption
The 41st Legislature met for its fourth called session in February 1930. Several members believed Texas should have a clear motto. House Concurrent Resolution No. 22 noted that Texas already had symbols like a state flower, bird, and song. It also explained that the state's name came from the Caddo word Tejas, meaning friendship. Lawmakers viewed this connection as important. Both chambers approved the resolution quickly, and Friendship gained official status.
Where You See It Today
The word Friendship does not appear on the Texas flag. The state coat of arms displays a five-pointed star with olive and live oak branches, while the Great Seal shows The State of Texas around the edge. The reverse side includes Remember the Alamo. The motto mainly appears in legislative materials and official documents rather than on visual state symbols.
Government reports mention it. Schools teach it. Border signs once displayed Drive Friendly, though that message served as a safety reminder and not as the motto. When people list Texas symbols, they often mention the bluebonnet, the mockingbird, and Friendship. Exhibits in the Texas State Capitol include information about state symbols and point out the motto’s Caddo origins.
Interesting Facts About the Motto
Fact 1 of 8
Texas is the only state with a one-word English motto that comes from a Native American language.
Sources & References
This article has been researched using authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and reliability. All information has been fact-checked and verified against official government records.
Official state symbols and motto history. • Accessed: December 31, 2025
Texas state symbols and historical documentation. • Accessed: December 31, 2025
Official Texas government resource for state seal and symbols. • Accessed: December 31, 2025
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