The establishment of Real Santiago de las Sabinas marked a significant step in the Spanish colonization of northern Mexico, led by Ignacio de Maya. This action was part of a broader strategy to reinforce Spanish presence in areas perceived as vital for agricultural and economic growth. Amidst the backdrop of colonization efforts, Maya recognized the importance of creating new settlements that could serve both as agricultural hubs and points of interaction with local Indigenous peoples. The location chosen for Real Santiago de las Sabinas was strategically situated to exploit the surrounding resources and foster trade routes, thus integrating it into the colonial economy of the time.

Ignacio de Maya, in his capacity as an early settler and colonizer, engaged with the local population, which included several indigenous groups. His founding of the settlement was pivotal not only for improving Spanish claims over the territory but also for establishing a foothold that allowed for cultural exchanges, and at times, conflicts. The settlement, although small at first, gradually evolved to attract more settlers and resources, eventually leading it to be renamed Sabinas Hidalgo. This development mirrored similar patterns across New Spain as Spanish territories expanded into the northwest regions.

Over the years, Sabinas Hidalgo became an essential site for agriculture, serving not only local needs but also supplying goods to larger markets. The governance structure initiated by Maya laid down the groundwork for future administrative organizations and development in Nuevo León. These early settlements contributed to the establishment of a more organized colonial society, further embedding Spanish culture and governance in the region, thus making a lasting mark on the demographic and cultural landscape of present-day Mexico.