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Scots - Texas Connection

Scotland has had long historical connections with Texas.

Over 40% of the original 300 colonists who settled there with the "Father of Texas" Stephen F. Austin (1793-1836) were of Scottish descent.

Sam Houston (1793-1863) who gained  Texas its independence by leading his troops to victory over the Mexicans at the Battle of San Jacinto, was also of Scottish ancestry originating from Houston, Renfrewshire.  He gave his name to the City of Houston and served as President of the Republic of Texas.

There were 30 Scots, including Piper John McGregor, among those who fought and died in the Battle of the Alamo at San Antonio.

The Texas town of Ingram was named after the original Texas bragger who wrote home to Scotland with outrageous stories making extravagant claims about Texas.

There are 254 counties in Texas and more than 100 of the county names have Scottish connections. They include Anderson, Andrews, Armstrong, Brewster, Cameron, Harris, Hamilton, Kennedy, McLennan, McCulloch, Martin, Ochiltree, Robertson, Taylor, Walker, Wilson, Wood and Young.

The first Aberdeen-Angus cattle were exported from Scotland to Texas in 1883. 

The oldest signatory to the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico was Collin McKinney (1766-1861) was of Scottish descent. The county of Collin and the town of McKinney are named after the North Texas pioneer.

Today Houston has annual Highland games,  a Scottish Festival and a Heather and Thistle Society.  The St Thomas' Episcopal School Pipe Band won the title of Juvenile World Pipe Band Champions in Glasgow in 2005.