The Alcantara family name derives from the place of the same name in the province of Caceres in Spain.

The Alcantara family name derives from the Arabic word "sing" which means bridge.
The name Al is of Castilian origin, came from a gentleman during the reconquest of the town of Alcantara (Caceres) in 1166, he distinguished himself so that the King Ferdinand II of Leon granted the privilege of using the name and arms of the town in their crest.

Subsequently extended to Burgos, Guadalajara, Segovia, Toledo and also to Portugal.

Some variations of this surname are: Al, Al Cantara and others.