From Duncairn, the residence of Adam J. MacRory, a leading Belfast solicitor (Belfast Directory 1831-1832; Ordnance Survey map 1832-1846). He was the solicitor to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland as can be seen from 1843 records in the House of Lords. He signed himself on 12 June 1843 as “A. J. Macrory, Duncairn, Belfast”.
The name was approved on 02/04/1894 (Belfast Council Minutes, cited in IHTA xvii, 17).
In former years, the part of the Antrim Road from Carlisle Circus to the Waterworks was called Duncairn Street.