Alcantara (surname)


Alcántara, Alcàntara, Alcântara, and Alcantara are surnames related to the Andalusian place name Alcántara, derived from Arabic for "the bridge".
There are several related place names Alcantara, with the most noted being Alcántara, Spain, the birthplace of Saint Peter of Alcantara, the Franciscan Saint.
The surname has royal connections and the emperors of Brazil, such as Pedro II had the surname Alcántara y Silva. Consequently, the surname Alcántara is also found among freed slaves of the Brazilian household.

Spanish