"The Union Flag is sometimes known as the Union Jack after its creator, James I of England, James VI of Scots. Jack comes from the Latin for James, Jacobus. James became King of Scots at one year old when his mother Mary Queen of Scots was deposed by rebel Scottish Lords. James patiently waited another thirty-five years until his aunt, Elizabeth I of England died and he succeeded to the throne of England. James wanted to unite his two kingdoms but the Parliaments of the two sovereign nations opposed it vigorously. James persistently asked his Parliaments to bring about a plan for union but they continually came up with objections. Meanwhile, James did what he could to effect a unification. Firstly, he declared himself ?King of Great Britain?, a term he created for his new kingdom. James also minted a new coin, which could be used in either England or Scotland. He named it the ?Unite?. It was worth five shillings in Sterling and three pounds in Scots. (The Scottish currency had been greatly devalued during James reign in Scotland). Most importantly, James created the new flag overlaying the English cross of St George on the Scottish cross of St Andrew to form a new National Flag. He rejected other designs suggested by his advisors on the grounds that they were not ?united?. The Union Flag was augmented in 1801 when Ireland became part of The United Kingdom." Looks like it was originally created in 1606 when James was king of both England and Scotland and then with Ireland added in 1801 it became the Union Flag we know today. No mention of Wales, and the flag of St Patrick is no longer relevant with most of Ireland no longer being in the Union. http://www.wardsbookofdays.com/12april.htm