A report in the Ulster Examiner & Northern Star on Thursday, 2 April 1868 states that Belfast’s Improvement Committee “approved” a developer’s application—by Messrs. John Alexander & Co.—to name Percy Street and two cross-streets running from Morpeth Street, namely Kendal Street and Tyne Street. The committee’s approval in April 1868 shows Morpeth Street already existed and was named by then. Earliest directory appearance: Morpeth Street is in the 1868 Belfast/Ulster Street Directory (residents listed at “Morpeth Street”) and again in 1880 (cross-ref with Westmoreland Street). T
The same grid of streets carries a North of England naming scheme—Percy, Northumberland, Tyne, Kendal, Westmoreland—laid out on land heavily influenced by developer John Alexander. In that pattern, “Morpeth” fits as the Northumberland market town, i.e., a thematic place-name choice by the developer approved by Council. Also mid-19th-century Belfast publicly honoured George Howard (later 7th Earl of Carlisle), who had been styled “Viscount Morpeth”; e.g., Carlisle Circus commemorates him. (see entry for more details). This made “Morpeth” a familiar, respectable name locally.