During the Neolithic period there were implements discovered in the sites such as the Grulha and Lameira de Curia (today housed in the Museum Tavares Proença Júnior).

The Romanization of the area was also documented in the number of vestiges found in Cabeço da Pelada, such as a kiln and altar dedicated to the divinity Reve, from the 2nd century B.C.

[3] The toponymy Alcains is derived from the Arabic word for church and, according to some historians, may have had the same origin as Alcañiz, a city in the Spanish province of Teruel.

[4] In the 12th century the region belonged to the numerous villages and lands that comprised the Herdade de Açafa, dominion of Afonso Henriques.

Alcains was the main industrial centre within the municipality of Castelo Branco, achieving a period of success during the 1960s and 1970s, through the creation and development of several nationally-recognized companies (such as Dielmar,[7] Fábricas Lusitana and Sicel).

Other industries in the region include marble and granite masons, butchers and meat-packers, artisans and, at one time, hat producers.

The distinct quality of the Alcains stonemasonry is evident in Castelo Branco, with many of the sculptures and statues that embellish the Paço garden utilizing the granite from the region.

In addition to the local branch of the Banco de Portugal, granite-work has been exported to the municipality of Covilhã, as well as Viseu, Guarda, Coimbra, Porto, Lisboa, Estremoz, Elvas and Évora.