The municipality of San Fernando, Cebu was named after its well loved parish priest named Fernando Sanchez. Its former name was San Isidro Labrador, this was by virtue of a Royal Decree issued in 1858.
San Fernando's birth came from the bonding of the barrios of Magsico, Cabatbatan, Balungag, Sangat, Panadtaran, and Pitalo which used to be part of Naga. The struggle for independence from Naga was led by Juan Diyong (also called Juan Magdidiyong). In his honor, the town's seal carries his image (that is the man who carries in his right hand a lighted torch on the way to the town hall with the inscription 1858, symbolizing its birth as a town).
The town's church, with San Isidro Labrador as Patron Saint was constructed in a land donated by Dona Clara Najarro (the family originally comes from Cebu City but relocated in San Fernando, Cebu, a member of the Najarro Clan: Mariano P. Najarro became a lawyer on January 26, 1952).
During the Spanish Occupation the following became its Capitanes: Mauricio Yangyang, Salustiano Paradero, Liberato Paradela, Julian Baricuatro, Guillermo Suarez, Ambrosio Manapsal, Mariano Mangkikis, Buenaventura Manlesa, Francisco Suarez, Canuto Ariba and Donato Tapere.
In the last few years of the Spanish Occupation from 1886 to 1898: Jacinto Paradela (the Paradela Clan is scattered all over Cebu, there are members of the Clan that lived in Pilar, Camotes like Attys. Manuel S. Paradela (became a lawyer on January 24, 1955) and Prospero S. Paradela (admitted to the Bar on May 9, 1959), Juan Tapia, Nicolas Cabigon, Feliciano Sasuman and Numeriano Gerasta.
During the Cebuano revolution against Spain (1898-1899): Numeriano Gerasta, Adriano Generales and Nicolas Cabigon. When Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo declared Independence and assumed as the First President of the Republic he appointed Martiniano Sasuman.
When the Americans took over in colonizing the Philippines, the following became as the town's chief executives (they were called as Municipal Presidents, that is the reason why town halls or building were called as Presidencia Municipal): Joaquin Papas, Martiniano Sasuman, Ciriaco Llanto, Isidro Duterte, Emiliano Rabor and Juan Llanto (son of Municipal President Ciriaco Llanto also known as Tan Akoy, short for Capitan)
During the Japanese Occupation there were Mayors appointed by the Japanese Imperial Army and Mayors chosen by the Guerillas: Juan Llanto in 1942 chosen by the Guerillas and Nicanor Atillo appointed by the Japanese, Vicente Rabor, Francisco Canas and Victor Coloyan during the last year of the Japanese Occupation.
When the Japanese surrendered in 1944 and the Philippine Government installed by Gen Douglas McArthur when he administered the oath of Don Sergio Osmeña at the steps of the Provincial Capitol of Leyte in Tacloban City officially making him the President, the following became Mayors of San Fernando, Cebu: Zacarias Villasin, Atty. Leocadio G. Llanto (admitted to the Bar on June 14, 1950, son of Juan Llanto) , Atty. Mariano C. Genebraldo (became a lawyer on January 18, 1954), Atty. Gerardo D. Lariosa (admitted to the Bar on March 21, 1967, a member of the Lariosa Clan, Carmelo D. Lariosa of Brgy. Panadtaran continue to give honor to the town by promoting Cebuano Language and Literature), Antonio Canoy (his mother is a Llanto) and Lakambini Reluya.
Among those who became lawyers from San Fernando, Cebu: Pastor N. Quiachon (December 3, 1945) Gonzalo Quijano (February 2, 1951), Cesar E. Nadela (June 10, 1975) and Ildefonso V. Lagcao (March 19, 1965).
In 1964 the following were its officials:
Leocadio G. Llanto, Mayor, Dr. Severino L. Enad, Vice Mayor, Anito D. Ariba, Municipal Secretary, Caridad G. Sarmiento (from Carcar, Cebu, admitted to the Bar on April 14, 1953) Judge, Juanicio Padron, Treasurer, Teodulfo Canas, Chief of Police, Dra. Corazon K. Bautista, Municipal Health Officer.
As Councilors: Porferio L. Enad, Gerundio Taping, Buenaventura Medalla, Pablo Villanueva, Alberto Canubida, Fulgencio Gabaya and Geminiano Monterona.