The name “Pangantucan”, meaning wisdom and strength, is dedicated to a white stallion. The horse uprooted a bamboo on time to warn his master, a datu of the tribe, of an impending danger from Manobo marauders, thereby saving the tribe of a one-sided massacre.

Once a barrio of Maramag, Pangantucan, being the seat of government, was joined with Adtuyon, Dominorog, Panalagsagan, Kalilangan and Barandias to form a separate municipal district in 1931. It was created a regular municipality in 1961.