Well yes, true, I haven't thought about it much but I think I have more than the close-minded "French" and "British" camps on this forum.
Firstly, TLC calls these Governors and Admirals (eg G. Broadside, A. de whatever) by different names in different countries like China & Syria (for example) etc . In Syria, neither have a French nor a British name. The same goes with all lego sets. All names are regionalised not just translated, its called marketing.
Secondly, in the 1700s and 1800s many armies wore blue and red coats with a waist belt and these headgear. The French and British didn't trademark these. The French and British didn't only wear these. The lego minfigure's dress is not detailed enough to match any army of the past.