Before independence, the position had been occupied by appointed Spanish military commanders that also serve the role of Governor since the transfer of the capital to Bacolod in 1849.

Americans occupied the fledgling republic and requested the provisional government to conduct an island-wide election for the gubernatorial post.

[1] Governor General Valeriano Wéyler promulgated a royal decree in October 25, 1889, which divided the island into two provinces, namely Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, upon the request of the 13 Augustinian Recollect friars administering the towns east of the island.

An election for separate provincial officials was planned but not implemented until 1901, under the American protectorate period of the Republic of Negros.

This list[3] includes governors appointed or elected since the end of Spanish rule, the recognized start of the institutional office.