The etymology of the town's name is from the Vabala river, which means "beetle" in English.

In 1593, Vabalninkas was assigned to Anne of Austria, wife of Sigismund III Vasa.

In 1644 Vabalninkas inhabitants got a privilege to make and sell craft beer.

After the Soviet occupation Lithuanian partisans of Vytis military district were active, namely the Pilėnų tėvūnija (Pilėnai detachment).

This Panevėžys County, Lithuania location article is a stub.