Landseer Street was called after a famous Victorian painter Sir Edwin Landseer (7 March 1802 – 1 October 1873). Landseer was an English painter and sculptor, he was particularly well known for his paintings of animals, such as the magnificent stag depicted in Monarch of the Glen (John J Marshall, Belfast Telegraph, 27/01/1941).
"That on the application of the owner, Mr. T. K. Matthews, four new streets on his property situate off Stranmillis Road be named Landseer Street, Elaine Street, Colenso Street, and Pretoria Street". (Minutes, Improvement Committee, 4th April 1900).