This is a list of the governors of colonies, protectorates, or other dependencies in 1879. Where applicable, native rulers are also listed.

Portugal

• Angola – Vasco Guedes de Carvalho e Meneses, Governor-General of Angola (1878–1880)

United Kingdom

• Jamaica – Sir Anthony Musgrave, Governor of Jamaica (1877–1883)
• Malta Colony – Arthur Borton, Governor of Malta (1878–1884)
• New South Wales
  1. Hercules Robinson, Lord Rosmead, Governor of New South Wales (1872–1879)
  2. Lord Augustus Loftus, Governor of New South Wales (1879–1885)
• Queensland – Sir Arthur Kennedy, Governor of Queensland (1877–1883)
• Tasmania – Major Frederick Weld, Governor of Tasmania (1875–1880)
• South Australia – Lieutenant-General William Jervois, Governor of South Australia (1877–1883)
• Victoria
  1. George Bowen, Governor of Victoria (1873–1879)
  2. George Phipps, Lord Normanby, Governor of Victoria (1879–1884)
• Western Australia – Major-General Harry Ord, Governor of Western Australia (1877–1880)