Most of these individuals exercised most or all of the functions of viceroy, usually on an interim basis.

This office covered the territories that were discovered by Christopher Columbus.

[dubious – discuss] This office covered the territories that were claimed by Hernán Cortés.

The office covered the territories that were under the control of the Governor of the Indies after 1524.

The first Viceroy of New Spain was appointed in 1535 to consolidate the offices of the Governor of the Indies and the Governor of New Spain into a single office.