Initially the governorship was given to the tlatoani (indigenous dynastic ruler) and many early governors were thus referred to by the Spaniards as cacique y gobernador ("Indian ruler and governor") or señor y gobernador ("lord and governor"). The last tlatoani of Tenochtitlan was Luis de Santa María Nanacacipactzin (1563–1565). Governors who also were tlatoani or cuauhtlatoani (interim ruler) are indicated in the list.
Subsequent (non-dynastic) governors were referred to juez-gobernador ("judge-governor") or simply gobernador ("governor"). In 1564, the governor received a salary of 400 pesos per year.[2]
New alcaldes were elected yearly. Until 1600, Tenochtitlan was served by two alcaldes. In odd-numbered years, the alcaldes would be representatives of the "barrios" of San Pablo Teopan and San Juan Moyotlan, while in even years, the alcaldes would be representatives of San Sebastián Atzaqualco and Santa María la Redonda Cuepopan. In 1600, the number of alcaldes was increased to four, one for each district; in 1610 it was increased again to eight, with two for each district.
In 1564, alcaldes were receiving salaries of 50 pesos.[3]
Tenochtitlan had twelve regidores, an unusually high number. Like alcaldes, regidores represented the four subdivisions of Tenochtitlan, although with disproportionate representation of San Juan Moyotlan.
In 1564, regidores were receiving salaries of 20 pesos.[3]
Gibson, Charles (May 1953). "Rotation of Alcaldes in the Indian Cabildo of Mexico City". The Hispanic American Historical Review. 33 (2). The Hispanic American Historical Review, Vol. 33, No. 2: 212–223. doi:10.2307/2509657. JSTOR2509657.
Lockhart, James (1996) [1992]. The Nahuas After the Conquest: A Social and Cultural History of the Indians of Central Mexico, Sixteenth Through Eighteenth Centuries. Stanford: Stanford University Press. ISBN0-8047-2317-6. OCLC24283718.
