The area was originally inhabited by the
Matlatzinca, then by the
Otomi before it was conquered by the
Aztec Empire under
Axayacatl, while there is oral tradition indicated the area once held the name of "place of Otomis", its first written mention in the
Codex of Mendoza has the name "Techialoyan". The area was the purview of
Calimaya and
Tepemajalco, but in 1603 the town of San Antonio Techialoyan was officially recognized by authorities. In the 17th century it was considered to be a semi-independent "Indian republic", according to the Codex of San Antonio Techialoyan, which notes Miguel de Santa María Axayácatl as its governor. Spaniards are not mentioned as part of the population until after 1650. During the
Mexican War of Independence, insurgent leader Father
Miguel Hidalgo passed through here on his way to
Tianguistenco, recruiting men for his army. ==The municipality==