The Cliftonville Road area originally was to be named as “Cliftonville Garden Village“. According to Carson, the architect Thomas Jackson is reported to be have been so impressed by the residential area of Bristol called Clifton, that he decided to introduce the name to Belfast. In the Belfast Street Directory of 1839 there is an entry that says: “William Herdman, Esq residence, Cliftonville”.
"That Mr. A. Crawford, junr., on behalf of the Cliftonville Recreation Coy., be informed that the Committee do not see their way to approve of the name Myrtle Grove for the new street at Cliftonville opposite Old Park Avenue, and have to request that they will submit another name for approval". (18th February 1891)
That Mr. J. B. Milliken be informed that the Committee do not see their way to name a new street on his property situate off Cliftonville Road Myrtle Grove and request him to submit a more suitable name than “Grove” for such a street. (27th July 1892)
"On the application of the owners it was Resolved that the following names for new streets be approved of: ... ‘Cliftonville Street’ for a street on the property of the Cliftonville Recreation Co. Limited, at Cliftonville". (18th April 1894).