Known as Stockman's Loaning in the early nineteenth century, the official name Stockman's Lane seems to have been adopted around the time that Balmoral Station was opened in 1858. The earliest entry for Stockman's Lane in a Belfast Street Directory occurs in 1868. Prior to 1889, when Balmoral Avenue was named, Stockman's Lane / Loaning seems to have denoted the road all the way to the junction with Malone Road.
"Submitted memorial from residents in Stockman’s Lane requesting that the name of the road be changed. Resolved - That Mr. Thos. MacLoughlin be informed on behalf of the memorialists that in so far as the jurisdiction of the Corporation over the portion of the road within the City Boundary is concerned, they are not prepared to accede to the application".(6th September 1927).
The City Surveyor submitted memorial signed by owners and occupiers of property in Stockman’s Lane, requesting that the name of that thoroughfare be changed to Musgrave Park.
"The Committee expressed the opinion that the name Stockman' should continue to be associated with the thoroughfare, but in view of the fact that approximately two-thirds of same is outside the City Boundary, the consideration of the application was deferred, pending the view of the Antrim County Council in the matter being ascertained". (26th April 1932).
"Submitted letter, dated 9th inst., from the Secretary, Antrim County Council, intimating that the Finance Committee of the County Council have not any objection to a new name being allocated to Stockman’s Lane, the greater portion of which is outside the City Boundary.
The Committee again considered the application from owners and occupiers of property in Stockman’s Lane that the name of the thoroughfare be changed to Musgrave Park, but action in the matter was deferred pending the City Surveyor’s reporting further thereon". (21st June 1932).
The Assistant Surveyor reported further with reference to the memorial submitted by owners and occupiers of property in Stockman’s Lane, that the name of that thoroughfare should be changed to “Musgrave Park Avenue”, and submitted letter dated 8th inst. from Mr. J. D. Gordon, Civil Engineer and Architect, on behalf of the owners and occupiers of property in the road, reiterating the request that the name “Musgrave Park Avenue” be allocated to the thoroughfare.
"The Committee could not see their way to agree to the name “Musgrave Park Avenue” being dissociated from the thoroughfare, and the City Surveyor was instructed to inform Mr. Gordon that the Committee are prepared to approve of Stockman’s Road, Stockman’s Drive or Stockman’s Avenue. (16th August 1932).
"Adverting to the application made to the Committee that the name of Stockman’s Lane be changed, the City Surveyor reported that owners of property in the thoroughfare had been communicated with in order to ascertain their views on the proposed change of name, but as the required number of owners had not signified their approval of the proposed change, he recommended that further action be not taken in the matter. Resolved – That the recommendation of the City Surveyor be adopted". (11th October 1932).