 The name "Alcantarilha" appears to have its origin in Arab settlement/occupation, from the word "al-quanTarâ", which meant bridge, viaduct or aqueduct, while the addition of the diminutive "ilha" implied a Roman or Mozarab influence, to indicate "small bridge".During the Middle Ages, and beginning of the modern era, little is known about the activities of the communities of Alcantarilha, except for activities related with the defense of the Algarve coast and rare descriptions of the settlement in the 16th century.The oldest description came from 1573, and reflected by João Cascão, King Sebastian's personal chronicler, who accompanied the king through the Algarve to survey the defenses along the coast.