Like most modern customs it has a medieval start. The modern necktie is decended from the cravat.  The cravat orginated in the 1630’s with Croatian mercenaries who came to fight for King Louis XIII wearing colourful scarves which became known as cravats. And King Charles brought it to england.

From 1700 to 1770 it wasnt stylish, but then in 1770  became fashionable again.  Since you tied a cravat the way you liked, they became known as ties. It went out of fashion for a while in the 1700’s but it became fashionable again in the 1770’s. By 1815, cravats were becoming known as ties because you tied it according to your desire. It was in 1850 that it became standard business clothing.