Tejano or Texano [teˈxano] (Spanish for "Texan") is a term used to identify a Texan of Criollo Spanish or Mexican heritage.Historically, the Spanish term Tejano has been used to identify various groups of people. During the Spanish colonial era and before Anglo colonization, the term primarily applied to Spanish settlers of the region now known as the state of Texas (first as part of New Spain and after 1821 as part of Mexico).