Named owing to its proximity to Salisbury Street, which remembers Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury, a Conservative statesman who was vehemently opposed to Home Rule for Ireland (John J. Marshall, Belfast Telegraph 03/03/41). He was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom for three separate periods for a total of over 13 years between 1885 and 1902. His three terms as Prime Minister were interrupted by Liberal governments led by Gladstone. There was considerable opposition to Home Rule in Belfast at that time. This is one of a number of streets off Dublin Road which commemorate pro-Union peers. The group includes Hartington, Ashburne, Ventry, Pakenham and Apsley.