Canning Street was named for George Canning (1770-1827), famous statesman, who was Foreign Secretary twice and became Prime Minister in 1827. He was a Conservative, but noted for his liberal policies. It was he who wrote in a despatch in course of negotiations with Holland, the famous couplet: It was ever a fault of the Dutch, Giving too little and asking too much" (John J. Marshall, Belfast Telegraph, 03/03/41). He had several connections to Ireland. Both his parents were Irish. His mother was an actress, Mary Ann Costello. Canning was MP for Tralee, Co. Kerry, 1802-06, but all the other seats he held were in England. He became Prime Minister on 10 April 1827. On 8 August 1827, hardly 5 months in office, Canning died suddenly from pneumonia at Chiswick House.
According to the IHTA, Canning Street was named on 2 August 1852 (Belfast Corporation Minutes).
George Canning | British Prime Minister, Diplomat & Statesman | Britannica