Pakenham is a surname of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is a locational surname from Pagham, Sussex or Pakenham, Suffolk.
Antonia Pakenham, an early pen-name of author Antonia Fraser
Edward Pakenham (1788–1815), British general
Sir Francis Pakenham (diplomat) (1832–1905), British envoy to Chile, Argentina and Sweden
The Hon. Sir Michael Pakenham (born 1943), retired British diplomat
Thomas Pakenham (disambiguation), several people including:
Thomas Pakenham (Royal Navy officer) (1757–1836), British admiral
William Christopher Pakenham (1861-1933), British admiral
the surname of several Earls of Longford
the Baronets of Pakenham