Pottinger’s Entry takes its name after Thomas Pottinger who was a merchant and a freeman by 1688. As a Presbyterian, however, he was unable to advance politically. He did however manage singlehandedly to secure a new charter from King James who dissolved the current city corporation and made Pottinger the new sovereign. He gained favour with King William by supplying his army in his war against King James.
The street is first recorded as Pottinger's Lean on Maclanachan's map of 1715, and as Potengers Entry in a funeral register of 1726. It is included in the list of streets in the Belfast Directory 1835-1836. The 1839 edition of Martin’s Belfast Directory lists businesses there.