Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Yes, Fijians today have surnames, typically inherited patrilineally and often carrying cultural or historical significance. However, this is a relatively recent development.
Traditionally, Fijians identified themselves through a system of titles, clan names (matagali), and lineage rather than fixed family surnames. Surnames were introduced during the colonial era (late 19th century) by European missionaries and administrators for census, land registration, and legal purposes.
Many Fijian surnames reflect this history—some are adaptations of traditional names, others derive from missionary-given Christian names, and some indicate geographic or clan origins. Today, surnames are universal in legal and formal contexts, while traditional kinship identifiers remain culturally important.