Pangbourne's name is recorded from 844 as Old English Pegingaburnan (dative case), which means "the stream of the people of [a man called] Pǣga".

He was High Sheriff of Berkshire and brother of the Governor of Nova Scotia, whose son later succeeded John at the manor.

[citation needed] Kenneth Grahame, author of The Wind in the Willows, retired to Church Cottage in Pangbourne.

[5] The Falkland Islands memorial chapel at Pangbourne College was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in March 2000.

It was built to commemorate the lives and sacrifice of all who died during the Falklands War of 1982, and the courage of those who served with them to preserve the sovereignty of the islands.

On 12 April 2024, the men's section of the public toilets were officially opened by David Potts, standing in for the planned Joe Lycett.

[9] The village's railway station is located on the Great Western Main Line and has stopping services to Oxford via Didcot Parkway, and to London Paddington via Reading.

[10] In 2009, Pangbourne All-Comers' Band was begun, incorporating brass and, for parade days, drums and bell lyre glockenspiel.