After arriving in what is named the New World, the Spanish start several expeditions to Guatemala, beginning in 1519.

Before long, Spanish contact results in an epidemic that devastates native populations.

Hernán Cortés, who had led the Spanish conquest of Mexico, grants a permit to Captains Gonzalo de Alvarado and his brother, Pedro de Alvarado, to conquer this land.

Alvarado at first allies himself with the Kaqchikel nation to fight against their traditional rivals the K'iche' (Quiché) nation.

Alvarado later turns against the Kaqchikel, and eventually holds the entire region under Spanish domination.

Several families of Spanish descent subsequently rise to prominence in colonial Guatemala, including the surnames de Arrivillaga, Arroyave, Alvarez de las Asturias, Aycinena, González de Batres, Coronado, Gálvez Corral, Mencos, Delgado de Nájera, de la Tovilla, and Varón de Berrieza.