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The Cavalcante family is considered the largest Brazilian family. It has only one common ancestor, Filippo Cavalcanti. It gave rise to all the descendants of that family in Brazil.The Cavalcante surname, like many others, did not appear in Brazil, for a simple reason that Brazil was colonized and inhabited, primarily by foreigners. Thus, last names come from other countries and end up gaining popularity since the immigrants made Brazil their new home. The Cavalcante surname is of Italian origin, being derived from an activity practiced by their patriarch. In this case, the act of ride that comes from the medieval Latin caballicare. According to studies done by genealogists the founders of this surname were bourgeois nobles of the province of Florence. The Cavalcante were persecuted during the thirteenth century by a crisis caused by the war of Guelfs against the Ghibellines. The Guelphs won and divided into white and black Guelfs Guelfi. The Family Cavalcanti supported white Guelfi and so were persecuted. Only the time Medici exercised power over Florence, this family could back his powers and assets.Florence was known to have an import trade well known at the time. Traders importing expensive products and desired by all people of that time. In this context, we highlight Giovanni Cavalcanti, an important businessman and father of Filippo Cavalcanti who came to the colony of Portugal (Brazil). He received the land grants donations and set up one of the first sugar mills in the region. His descendants followed the tradition of planters and only centuries later one of the successors occupied a position in the Empire.