Evidence of this early settlement includes the discovery of a gold death mask in Barangay San Antonio during the 1960s.

The town's name, Oton, was mentioned in records from the Yuan Dynasty in the 1300s, referred to as in Hokkien Chinese: 啞陳; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: A-tân.

[7][8] Spanish missionaries used Oton as a base to spread Catholicism to neighboring settlements, including Jaro, Iloilo, Tigbauan, Cordova, Alimodian, Igbaras, Tubungan, Camando, Damilisan, and Tiolas.

However, Oton's location made it vulnerable to pirate attacks, prompting the Spanish colonial authorities to relocate the capital a few kilometers away to La Punta, which is now known as Iloilo City Proper, in the 1600s.

Oton is bordered by the municipality of Tigbauan to the west, San Miguel to the north, Pavia to the northeast, Panay Gulf to the south, and the district of Arevalo, Iloilo City to the east.

This advantage has led to a surge in real estate developments, with a growing number of residential and commercial properties being established in the area.

Additionally, the town boasts a number of hotels, resorts, and restaurants, catering to the needs of tourists and visitors, further enhancing its economic potential.

[26] This planned urban development is poised to become a major economic center, attracting investments and providing opportunities for businesses and residents alike.