[1] 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.

[1] During the Mexican War of Independence, insurgent leader Father Miguel Hidalgo passed through here on his way to Tianguistenco, recruiting men for his army.

[1] For most of its history after the Conquest, San Antonio La Isla was a political and religious dependency of Calimaya.