Álvaro was born in Praia da Vitória, Portugal, son of Antão Martins Homem and Isabel de Ornelas da Câmara, a noble lady, great-great-granddaughter of Sancho de Herrera de Saavedra, and descendant of João Peres de Vasconcelos.[2] He was married to Beatriz de Noronha,[3] daughter of João de Noronha and Inês de Abreu, a noblewoman, belonging to the family of João Fernandes de Andrade and Beatriz Gomes de Abreu.[4]
Álvaro Martins Homem was designated Captain-Donatário of Praia by order of John III of Portugal, he held the position from 1520 to 1535, being replaced by his brother, Antão Martins da Câmara.[8] Both brothers were the grandsons of Álvaro Martins, 1st Captain of Praia.[9]