Sharman Close is named from its proximity to Sharman Road, which was built decades earlier. This, in turn, takes its name from Colonel Robert Sharman-Crawford (1853-1934), chairman of the Lagan Vale Estate Brick and Terracotta Works Limited. He was the grandson of Mabel Crawford of Crawfordsburn and William Sharman of Moira, who adopted the surname Sharman Crawford by royal licence. Robert served in the 16th Lancers. He inherited interests in the Beamish & Crawford Brewery in Cork from his mother Alicia in 1889. Two years later, on the death of his father, he inherited the Crawfordsburn estate. He become a Unionist politician after retiring from the Army in 1898. He was elected Member of Parliament for East Belfast, 1914-18, and for Mid-Down 1921-22. He was an associate of Lord Edward Carson and played a major role in the Ulster Volunteer Force. He was elected to the Senate of Northern Ireland, 1921-34.