Before the founding of Teotihuacan, the Otomi people settled nearby Tula, where later the Toltec culture flourished.Some centuries later they developed their own culture and country, with a capital city in Xaltocan. Nevertheless, around 1399 they were defeated and submitted by the Mexica or Aztecs.

Otomi warriors were often employed by the Aztecs and by people of Tlaxcala as mercenaries. The Tlaxcaltecans sent a group of Otomi warriors to oppose the Spanish, and when they lost, decided to ally themselves with the Spaniards.

After the 16th century, the Otomi passed to be ruled by the Spanish crown. During four centuries after, they mixed with other people from central Mexico.