[2] According to the Enciclopedia de los Municipios de México, published by the Mexican government, the name Xonacatlán is Nahuatl in origin and means "among the onions" ("onion" in Nahuatl is "xonacatl").

[3] The town fell to the invading Spanish forces in 1521.

[3] The independence of Mexico in 1821 contributed to the town's prosperity.

[3] The town was originally assigned to part of another municipality, but Celso Vicencio Hernández advocated for its municipal status in the State of Mexico's legislature, ultimately successfully, and municipal status was conferred on October 18, 1870.

[3] Afterward, political power was held by a few dominated by the Vicencio family.