Named after a medieval mound or motte. The Gaelic chieftain Conn O'Neill is said to be buried in the adjacent graveyard, although he wanted to be buried at Knock. Moat House was designed by W J Barre and built in 1863 for Thomas Valentine, proprietor of the Northern Spinning and Weaving Co. Thomas Valentine is recorded as residing at Moat House in the Belfast and Provincial Directory for 1863-4 (Village Directory section, Sydenham or Strandtown). It was converted to apartments in 1938.
The name of this street Motelands off the Old Holywood Road was accepted by the Improvement Committee of Belfast Corporation on 10 September 1968. The proposal was made by Mr. W. D. McConnell.