Given that Clifton Street runs alongside Clifton House, which was opened in 1774 by Belfast Charitable Society, one would be forgiven for thinking that the house gave name to the street. However, the reverse seems to be the case. The building was known as the Belfast Charitable Institution until it was renamed Clifton House in 1948. It is curious that it was the Charitable Society which requested the name Clifton Street in 1864.
Resolved that on application of the Charitable Society the thoroughfare from the top of Donegall Street to Carlisle Circus be named ‘Clifton Street’ and from the circus to the cross road, at the Cavehill tramway be named “Duncairn Street’. 22nd June 1864. The Belfast News-Letter of Wednesday 29 June 1864 reports on the naming of a church as Clifton Street Church.