Approved: 1889
First appears: 1892 (Belfast and Province of Ulster Directory)
Located in East Belfast, off Templemore Avenue.
Mr. J. P. Major and Rev. Mr. Major attended the Town Improvement Committee on 25 May 1887 regarding a plan of streets near Parker Street, and were informed that their plan would be approved. On 17 October 1888 James Major of Belvoir Hall wrote to the Committee about street works, and on 13 November 1889 the Committee agreed that, provided the applicants paid the cost of new name plates, the name of Lauriston Street off Templemore Avenue could be changed to Major Street.
The street commemorates the Major family of Belvoir Hall, Ballymacarrett, a prominent family in the district. The directories of 1870 and 1877 list James Major as a muslin manufacturer, and he continued as a leading figure through the 1880s. At the same time, a family member served in the ministry: the Rev. Major, who attended the Committee alongside J. P. Major in 1887. According to James Patton in Ballymacarrett, Major Street was named after this clergyman, but it also reflects the broader influence of the Major family locally.
Sources:
Belfast Town Improvement Committee minutes, 25 May 1887; 17 October 1888; 13 November 1889
Belfast and Province of Ulster Directory, 1870, 1877, 1884, 1892
James Patton, Ballymacarrett
"Mr J P Major and Rev Mr Major attended as to plan of street near Parker Street, submitted by them, and they were informed their plan would be approved of". (25th May 1887).
"That Mr James Major of Belvoir Hall be informed in reply to his letter of 10th inst that the Committee will not object to the use of ferrumite flags in Lauriston Street provided they are laid to the satisfaction of the Borough Surveyor within the next three months". (17th October 1888).
"That Messrs Major and Drean be informed in reply to their application that if they will pay cost of new name plates, the Committee will consent to change the name of Lauriston Street off Templemore Avenue to Major Street". (13th November 1889).