Different tribes of indigenous peoples populated the region of Tzapopan since around the 12th century CE. The Spanish conquistadors, led by Nuño Beltrán de Guzmán, conquered this area in 1530 for New Spain. Missionaries soon followed. In 1541, on direction of the king of Spain, the town of "Nuestra Señora de la Concepción de Tzapopan" (Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception of Tzapopan) was founded. Local legend tells that the Virgin interceded between the Spanish and the indigenous peoples during the conquest battles, convincing the local population to lay down their arms and convert to Christianity.