The family Pasteurellaceae, belonging to the Gammaproteobacteria is honoring in its name Louis Pasteur, a pioneer of microbiology. For decades the family has been formed by the three genera Pasteurella, Actinobacillus and Haemophilus, which have been established more than 100 years ago. Likewise characterization, identification and diagnosis of Pasteurellaceae have for a long time focused on classical phenotypic methods. By the introduction of molecular characterization methods and new taxonomic approaches at the turn to the new millennium the family has since grown to nowadays 28 genera with certainly more to come. A sound taxonomy is the basis for proper identification. Therefore, an overview on the current taxonomy within the Pasteurellaceae is given. Most of the Pasteurellaceae species are commensals of mucosal surfaces of vertebrates with generally strong host-specificity indicating a certain degree of co-evolution. While representatives of Pasteurellaceae can act as opportunistic pathogens only few are primary pathogens. Most of the clinically relevant species within the family are veterinary pathogens. Due to costs this is certainly one reason why the development and use of up to date identification and diagnostic methods was and still is hampered compared to human medical microbiology. A review on the development of identification methods and their bases is given that then leads to an outlook and speculation on what could be the identification method(s) of the future. New tools will also open the way to new diagnostic approaches not restricted to certain pathogens. This could be helpful for polymicrobial diseases in general and the possible role in there for Pasteurellaceae in particular.