Some sources interpret tocan as “followed” or “language.”[1] The town originated with the migration of a Chichimeca group led by Mixcóatl into the area around 528 CE.

[1] After the Conquest of México by the Spanish, Huehuetoca, along with Cuautitlán, Zumpango and Xaltocán were given to the conquistador Alonso de Avila as an encomienda, or as a sort of feudal territory.

The area was evangelized by the Franciscans based in Cuautitlán, and it is thought that the first church was founded by Friar Pedro de Gante.

Beginning in 1607, engineer Enrico Martínez, persuaded the Spanish vice-regal authorities of the need to build a canal to drain and divert the waters of the Valley.

The project initially attracted the attention of notable engineers, artists and political figures including the viceroy, Luis de Velasco II, himself.

[1] In 1816, during the Mexican War of Independence, resident Pedro Saldirna was accused of heading a rebel group by the local priest.

[1] The town was also a stop on the Mexico City - Nuevo Laredo rail line that was inaugurated in 1888 by the National Mexican Construction Company (Compañía Constructora Nacional Mexicana) and later run by the Mexican National Railroad Company (Compañía del Camino de Fierro Nacional Mexicana).

The operators of the Tren Suburbano, the commuter rail that connects the northern suburbs with Mexico City has expressed interest in building a branch that will lead to Huehuetoca.