The region of what is now Canóvanas belonged to the Taíno region of Cayniabón, which stretched from the northeast coast of Puerto Rico into the central region of the island. The region was led by cacique Canobaná, from which the actual name is derived, in the south half, and female Cacica Loaiza in the north (coastal portion). During the Spanish colonization, the region of Canóvanas was granted to Miguel Díaz, who turned the Taíno "yucayeque" into a ranch. It is said that Canóbana, along with Loaiza, were supporters of the Spanish regime and didn't join the Taino rebellion of 1511.