In Pre-Columbian times the Mam were part of the Maya civilization, and their native language, still spoken as a first language by many, is in the Maya language family.

The Pre-Columbian Mam capital was Zaculeu. Many Mam live in and around the nearby modern city of Huehuetenango. The city of Quetzaltenango was originally Mam. Many more Mam live in small hamlets in the mountains, keeping many of their native traditions.

The Mam are not to be confused with the UK-based Movement Against the Monarchy, which is often abbreviated MAM.