In his book East Belfast, Images of Ireland Keith Haines writes that the Belmont estate gave the district its name. Belmont House was built in the 1830s, it was originally the home of solicitor Alexander Montgomery, and later of Sir Thomas McClure MP who sold the 70-acre estate in 1890 to the trustees of Henry James Campbell in order to found a school - namely Campbell College.
“The surveyor having reported that there were two streets in Knock added area known as Church road Resolved that the street running from Belmont Church to Upper Newtownards Road be named Belmont Church Road…” Minutes, Improvement Committee, 24th January 1900.