In 1529, four years after the Spanish conquest of Huehuetenango, San Mateo Ixtatán (then known by the name of "Ystapalapán") was given in "encomienda" to the conquistador Gonzalo de Ovalle, a companion of Pedro de Alvarado, together with Santa Eulalia and Jacaltenango. In 1549, the first reduction of San Mateo Ixtatán took place, overseen by Dominican missionaries.