Identity is treated as critical today but has that always been the case?

For as long as I have been aware, the need for identity has been well made by people across the spectrum. I have been wondering if there has ever been a time in the past, say even as recent 300-500 years ago when identity wasn't really a worthwhile concept.

Is personal identity really natural to social beings?

Or is it a forced concept which is a product of the modern age?