Wolfhill is said to have been the place where the last wolf in Ulster was killed. Wolves were once common in Ireland but were regarded as a threat and were exterminated in the 18th century. The following is from an article on Extinct Animals of Ireland, which was written by SMS and appeared in The Gentleman's Magazine in August 1834: 'According to several accounts, the last wolf observed in Ireland was killed in the county of Kerry in 1710; tradition says on the Crany River, Carnlough, near Glenarm; and another account adds that the last wolf seen in Ulster, was shot by Arthur Upton, on Aughnabreack, or the Wolf-hill, near Belfast. The Upton family lived at Castle Upton at Templepatrick. (Nelson McCausland).
"The Surveyor reported the receipt of letter, dated 1st inst., from the Wolfhill Spinning Company, asking that the name of Legmurn Street, Ligoniel, be changed to Wolfhill Avenue, and that he had informed the Company the term Avenue would not be applied to a street less than 50 feet wide, and requested them to submit another name for the street". (5th November 1912).
"Resolved – That on the application of the Wolfhill Spinning Co. Ltd., owners of property abutting upon Legmurn Street, Ligoniel, the Council be recommended to alter the name of that street to Wolfhill Avenue". (26th November 1912).