Xaltocan

The Xaltocan were the ruling house of the Otomi city-state of Xaltocan, an island altepetl in the northern Valley of Mexico. Colonial chronicles count the Xaltocameca among the Chichimec tribes that left Aztlán under Quauhtliztac, or White Eagle; the island grew rich on chinampa farming and exacted tribute from neighbouring cities.

In the thirteenth century Xaltocan fought a long war against the Nahua city of Cuauhtitlan, whose ruler Xaltemoctzin and his allies conquered the island around 1395. The Otomi ruling house and its people were driven out, while Nahuatl speakers took over the island.

After the Triple Alliance overthrew Azcapotzalco, Xaltocan became a tributary of Tenochtitlan, paying mainly in woven blankets. In 1521 Hernán Cortés razed the city during the conquest of the Aztec empire.