The name Nampicuan emanated from the word “Nagpicuan” which means a curve road, originated in a trail called “Curva” as inhabitants of Pangasinan used to call. According to the first settlers, the site was a sitio named used “Surgue” or ‘SULI” situated in the eastern part of what eventually became the poblacion of Nampicuan and was the point where the feeder road from Moncada, Tarlac turned abruptly northeast towards the town of Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija.

The first known settlers were the Ilocanos. They came from Paoay, Ilocos Region, Pangasinan and Zambales. In 1880, having found the soil productive for agricultural purposes, the early settlers cleared the place, cultivate the land and cut down the trees. The trees were sawed into lumber out of which their houses were constructed. At time passes and population continues to grow, more and more demands are made for land and its resources. So much so, on the end of the 19th century, the barrio Nampicuan became a municipality and the first “alcalde mayors” were Andres Tabilangan and Feliciano Cuaresma. Before its formal creation and declaration as a municipality, Nampicuan was then a part and under the political jurisdiction of the town of Cuyapo.

In 1903, while the Philippines was still under the American Occupation, Nampicuan was reverted to the status of a barrio of the Cuyapo town. Upon proper presentation however of the prominent residents of this place, Nampicuan was again elevated to the status of municipality. In 1907, the first church was constructed lead by REV. Luis Corpuz and the establishment of Gabaldon Primary School under the first Principal/Teacher, Clodualdo Bringas. After a year Nampicuan become a third class municipality of Nueva Ecija with the first leaders, President Laureano O. Gonzales and Vice – President Simeon Quiaoit.