The origin of the name is from bungtod, the Cebuano term for “hill.” The word Nabunturan means “surrounded by hills” in English (nabungturan).

The early settlement was governed by a headman called Bagani, but was under the supervision of the Municipal District President of Compostela over matters concerning civil affairs.

For the maintenance of peace and order, the area was under the immediate supervision of the Philippine Constabulary Detachment of Camp Kalaw, Moncayo.

Before the construction of the national road traversing Nabunturan, the place was little known; but despite the threat of malaria, which was prevalent at the time, pioneers ventured into the area.

Mansaka natives settled their lives here in the municipality of Mawab to Barangay Bangkerohan, Montevista.

By that time, the establishment of the Bureau of Public Works (BPW) camp settled in Nabunturan.

On January 30, 1998, President Fidel V. Ramos signed into law the creation of the 79th province of the country, Compostela Valley (now named Davao de Oro), pursuant to Rep. Act 8470, which created Nabunturan as its capital town on March 8, 1998.