Pottinger Street is called after the Pottinger family.
"The townland which gives its name to a district of East Belfast, was originally granted by James I to James Hamilton, afterwards Earl of Clanbrassil. There was 'A fee farm grant of July 24, 1672, from Henry, 2nd Ear! of Clanbrassil, consideration of aforesaid £300, sold forever to Thomas Pottinger the townland of Ballymacarrett, alias Ballinacrett, with all fishings, ferry rights, ferry boats, and the Owen O' Corke Mill, with the lands belonging to the said mill, subject to the yearly rent of £30' " in “Ballymacarrett once inspired a poet” by John J Marshall in Belfast Telegraph - Tuesday 31 December 1940.
"Resolved that on application of Dr Ritchie the new street from Frank Street to Beersbridge Road be named Pottinger Street". (Town Improvement Committee, 25th August 1886)