[1] Some historians say the name derives from the Nahuatl Atenango, which translated into Spanish means "in the wall of water", but others argue it should be interpreted as "place of the dam or dike".

Nineteenth century Atenango is present because of Generalissimo Don Jose Maria Morelos, having emerged from Uruapan to Tehuacán escorting the Congress came to Atenango Morelos, and wanted to cross the river requested information, did not receive one and the cross where Crey + or should be choked his soldiers and horses, annoyed ordered to burn the village, leaving only standing the house, kept going and Tesmalaca as it was called then Temalac, decided to rest his people.

Only the colonial army commanded by the top leaders who had come following in the steps, to arrive at Atenango Tulimán, villagers were told they were not far away, rushed his way and day 5 November 1815, having sent forward to Members and the file, Morelos was in the rear and was discovered when he was about to reach the summit of the hill of Tecaballo whose foot is Temalac.

In this place we read a proclamation that the teacher had written Francisco Mata Figueroa, in which unknown to Porfirio Díaz as president and also among other things asked for free elections.

To remember this historical event President Luis Echeverria Alvarez, visited the town on that date important to deliver deeds to the people made by the government of the Republic, counting among these the most important works, the bridge over the river to the neighboring municipalities Amacuzac of Copalillo and Olinalá and the states of Puebla and Morelos.

Between forty and fifty years the town lost territory to be annexed to Huitzuco communities: Tulimán, Paso Morelos, San Miguel de las Palmas, and Cahuilotla Chaucingo.

The river is horseshoe-shaped wall of water, also symbolized by the glyph of the place where formerly lived the indigenous population, tributary of the Aztecs to the Spanish arrived.

The predominant vegetation is tropical deciduous forest species that reach heights of 15 meters or a little longer to develop in warm humid climates, semi or subsecos, where most of the trees change leaves in dry season, the most common species are : Chupandia (Bursera), Lysiloma demostachys (Tepehuaje) Mexican jacarita[clarification needed] (bonnet), impomea (poppy), Agave, Lemaireocereus, Opuntia and other cacti.

According to the results that I present the II Population and Housing in 2005, in the municipality live in a total of 571 people who speak an indigenous language.