There is provided a surgical coil fastener applier for use in applying helical coil fasteners in surgical procedures, such as hernia repair, to affix surgical mesh to tissue. The coil fastener applier includes a housing having a handle extending therefrom and a trigger pivotally mounted on the housing. An elongated tubular portion extends from the housing and includes a drive rod rotatably supported therein and slidably supporting a plurality of coil fasteners thereon. A drive assembly is provided within the housing to rotate the drive rod and coil fasteners. The drive assembly includes an anti-reverse mechanism to allow rotation of the drive rod in only one direction. An actuation assembly is provided within the housing to convert the motion of the trigger into rotary motion for supply to the drive assembly. The drive assembly includes structure to limit the amount of rotary motion supplied to the drive assembly. The drive assembly further includes a ratchet and pawl mechanism to prevent a partial cycling of the coil fastener applier. Also provided are various coil fasteners for use with the coil fastener applier.