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.
"That on the application of Mr John Ross a new street on his property off Whiterock Road be named Glencairn Street and one off Belmont Road named Belmont Drive". (13th December 1904). This was reported Irish News and Belfast Morning News on Wednesday 14 December 1904, however there was no indication of the name Belmont Drive appearing until after 1926.
"Resolved – That on the application of Mr. Joseph McMaster the following names be approved for new streets on his property situate off Belmont and Wandsworth Roads and Hawthornden Road: – Pirrie Parade, Kin-Edar Crescent, Hawthornden Park, Knocklofty Park, Knocktern Gardens, and Belmont Drive". (14th December 1926)