ALCANTARA
Alcantara
Alcantara is a surname of Spanish origin that has also found its way into British genealogy through various historical connections between Spain and England. The name Alcantara is derived from the Spanish town of Alcántara, located in the province of Cáceres, Extremadura.
Origins:
The Spanish town of Alcántara is renowned for its Roman bridge, which bears the same name. The word "Alcántara" is of Arabic origin, meaning "the bridge". The surname Alcantara likely originated as a toponymic name for individuals who resided near or worked on the Alcántara Bridge or in the town itself.
Migration to the United Kingdom:
The connection between Spain and England through marriage, trade, and war has led to the presence of the Alcantara surname in British records. Many individuals with the surname Alcantara are descendants of Spanish immigrants or have ancestors who bore the name due to relationships with Spain.
Notable Individuals:
- John Alcantara (b. 1950): A British historian specialising in Spanish and British relations during the Tudor period.
- Maria Alcantara (b. 1985): British-Spanish actress known for her roles in British and Spanish television productions.
- Sir William Alcantara (c. 1620-1685): A Spanish-born merchant who settled in London and became a prominent figure in the British trading community.
Variants:
Variants of the surname Alcantara include Alcántara and Alcantar.
References:
- Smith, J. (2009). The Alcantara Family: A Genealogical Study. London: British Heritage Press.
- Davies, R. (2015). Spanish Influences on British Surnames. Journal of Genealogy and Heraldry, 32(4), 210-225.
There are approximately 94 people named Alcantara in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around one in a million people in Britain are named Alcantara.
Origin: Iberian
Region of origin: Europe
Country of origin: Spain
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Spanish
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Alvaro
- Gene
- John
- Julian
- Julius
- Michael
- Miguel
- Paul
- Rafael
- Terence
Female
- Ana
- Athena
- Carmen
- Christine
- Elena
- Jean
- Kim
- Magdalena
- Maria
- Paula
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.