The language family historically extended from Mexico along the West Coast and into the Great Basin, with representation among tribes in Mesoamerica.

[8] When the Spanish missionaries came into the region, in the late 18th century they helped create the tribal name Serrano, distinguishing the people from neighboring tribes who were designated as the Tongva (Gabrileño—Fernandeño) to the southwest, and Kitanemuk and Tataviam to the northwest.

Conversely, Holocene artifacts found at these quarries indicate a year-long occupation of single sites and a combination of both foraging and hunting for sustenance.

[10] During the Gypsum period, subsistence strategies shifted to rely more on hunting, and early Desert Serrano adapted the bow and arrow.

[11] Increased moisture during the "Rose Spring" period, 1700–1000 BP, is closely correlated with continuous Indigenous occupation of the Western Mojave, followed by an abandonment of the area during a subsequent drought.

[citation needed] There is significant historical documentation of trade between Serrano peoples, other, non-Serrano Indigenous groups, and the Spanish in California during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The power of Indigenous trade relations hindered Spanish Colonial forces from regulating [taxing] "neophytes" and hinterland natives.

[citation needed] Due to the cultural suppression that occurred during the Mission Period, there was one remaining hümtc medicine man who revived religious ceremonies nearly lost to time in the early 1900s, as documented by anthropologist and ethnographer Ruth F. Benedict.

[15] In 1867 the Yuhaviatam band of Serrano were the victims of a massacre conducted by American settlers of the San Bernardino Valley, during a 32-day campaign at Chimney Rock.

Tribal leader Santos Manuel led the survivors from the mountains to the valley, where they established permanent residence adjacent to the hot springs near present-day Highland.

Uncovered were artifacts of non-local jasper and obsidian, ash and charcoal, grinding stones, and fire pits possibly dating back 1,000 years.

[citation needed] The modern San Manuel Band of Mission Indians maintains ancient trade relations with local Californian groups such as the Yurok.

The 1880 census reported only 381 Serranos, a number Helen Hunt Jackson thought was too low as it did not account for those who were living in remote areas.