Grays Lane runs uphill from Shore Road to Antrim Road, bisecting Fortwilliam Golf Course. It is named after the Gray family whose residence was Graymount, a Regency house built c. 1835 by Thomas Jackson for William Gray, a linen merchant and director of the Ulster Railway Company. The building still exists and is occupied by Hazelwood Integrated College. (Thanks to Dr Stiofán Ó Direáin for this information).
The name Graymount is retained in street-names on the north side of Grays Lane, such as Graymount Road, Graymount Parade, etc.
Gray's Lane is listed in the 1908 Belfast / Ulster Street Directory, but it existed and probably had this name much earlier. The lane is shown unnamed on the OS six inch map, 2nd edition, 1846-62.
"Councillor McCammond attended and asked that the name of street off Shore Road at Greencastle be changed from Grays Lane to Grays Avenue and he was requested to obtain the consent of all the owners of property in the street to the proposal". (1st December 1908).
"Councillor McCammond attended and presented an application signed by owners and occupiers of property in Grays Lane, Greencastle, to have the name of that thoroughfare changed to Graymount Avenue, and the Surveyor was instructed to report thereon". (12th January 1909).
"The Surveyor reported that all the owners of property in the street at Greencastle, known as Grays Lane, had not signed the application to have the name of that thoroughfare changed to Graymount Avenue, and it was Resolved — That no action be taken on the application for the present". (19th January 1909).
"Councillor McCammond attended and renewed his application to have the road leading from Shore Road to Antrim Road and known as Grays Lane, named Graymount Avenue and he was informed that the Surveyor would look further into the matter and report". (4th May 1909).
"Councillor McCammond attended and asked that the name of Grays Lane, Greencastle, be changed to Grays Avenue, and he was informed that on a former occasion when this matter was under consideration all the owners of property interested had not signed the formal application". (7th December 1909).