The Alcantar surname is derived from the place name Alcantara on the Tagus river in the province of Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain. Alcantara is derived from the Arabic word "cantara" meaning "bridge" and the definite article "al." The bridge in question was built about the year 105 by the Romans, and the village was named for the bridge by the Moors. The bridge of Alcantara is still standing today, having been restored in the late 19th century.
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Early Origins of the Alcantar family
The surname Alcantar was first found in Castile. According to scholars, the surname descends from a Castilian knight who served King Fernando II of Leon, in the first Reconquest of the village of Alcantara, in 1166. In rewarding the knight, the King also had him take the surname Alcantara and to bear the arms of this village. The village was re-taken by the Moors, and then recovered by Alonso of Leon in 1214, who then established the Order of Alcantara, a religious and military order for defense against the Moors.
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Early History of the Alcantar family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Alcantar research. Another 86 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1499, 1562, 1669 and 1698 are included under the topic Early Alcantar History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Alcantar Spelling Variations
Spelling variations of this family name include: Alcantara, Al Cantara, Alcántara and others.
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Early Notables of the Alcantar family
Prominent among bearers of the Alcantar family name at this time was
San Pedro De Alcántara or Peter of Alcantara (1499-1562), Spanish priest, who founded an austere form of Franciscan life and was canonized 1669
Alcantar Ranking
In the United States, the name Alcantar is the 5,892nd most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1
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Alcantar migration to the United States
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Some of the first settlers of this family name were:
Alcantar Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
Gabriel Alcantar, aged 32, who immigrated to America, in 1919
Contemporary Notables of the name Alcantar (post 1700)
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Tony Alcantar (b. 1960), American actor
David Arturo Alcantar García (b. 1989), former Mexican footballer who played as a Midfielder
Daniel Alcántar García (b. 1976), Mexican professional football player
