Its surname comes from the military order that repopulated this territory and was entrusted with its defence. The name of the order is also present in the names of the nearby and bordering towns of San Vicente, Herrera -port. Ferreira-, Santiago and Mata, as well as in Alcántara itself. This toponym is of transparent etymology and motivation (ár. al-qantara ‘the bridge’), due to the clear reference to the famous Roman bridge over the Tagus.