What’s the Meaning of Old Rockhampton Street Names

Curious about the Rockhampton street you live in? Or are you researching family history and looking for a Rockhampton address? Some street names of Rockhampton have changed over time. The following may help you find the origins.

Rockhampton has grown since its beginnings along with its many street names, some with obscure origins. Not all will be covered here but the list will grow as I research this topic.

Some are unknown or have uncertain origins. Some may be incorrect. The re-naming of some streets, for example, with the amalgamation of north and south Rockhampton councils, can add confusion. Please leave a comment if you have information you can offer.

The list is broken down alphabetically but, as I update, names won’t be added in alpha order, so feel free to use the arrows at the top of the column to sort the streets in each section.

A–B

C–D

E–F

G–H

I–L

M–O

P–R

S–W

A-B

Street Name	Reported Origin
Agnes	First name of Mr Ward’s wife, Mrs Agnes Spencer (see also Ward, Jessie and Spencer Streets)
Baden-Powell	Bear name of Chief Scout, Lord Robert Baden-Powell (1857–1941), who founded the Boy Scout movement in 1907
Bakara	Name of one of three boats that transported Australians in the Great War (WW1). One of the five streets in the Macdonald Estate, near General Hospital acquired by the War Service Commission for home sites for returned soldiers of the WW1.
Bapaume	Name of French village well known to active Australian soldiers during WW1. One of the five streets in the Macdonald Estate, near General Hospital acquired by the War Service Commission for home sites for returned soldiers of the WW1.
Baramba	Name of one of three boats that transported Australians in the Great War (WW1). One of the five streets in the Macdonald Estate, near General Hospital acquired by the War Service Commission for home sites for returned soldiers of the WW1.
Boisy	Name of French village well known to active Australian soldiers during WW1. One of the five streets in the Macdonald Estate, near General Hospital acquired by the War Service Commission for home sites for returned soldiers of the WW1.
Boonah	Name of one of three boats that transported Australians in the Great War (WW1). One of the five streets in the Macdonald Estate, near General Hospital acquired by the War Service Commission for home sites for returned soldiers of the WW1.
Balaclava	Name of Crimean village, scene of the battle of Balaclava. Street designation chosen by the estate owner, Mr W C Clements, who was a former soldier.  Also see Inkerman and Alma Streets.
Barnes	Alderman (councillor) James Barnes, also founder of a coach building and blacksmithing business in Bolsover Street, neighbouring the Technical College (became TAFE and now The Regent)
Bank	Because of location – on river bank in Park Avenue
Bawden	Named after Alderman A J Bawden, one of first members elected in 1918 into the Greater Rockhampton Council
Beaconsfield Terrace	Named after Benjamin Disraeli (1804 – 1881), 1st Earl of Beaconsfield, a prominent British statesman and literary figure in the 19th century. He was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom twice, first in 1868 and then from 1874 to 1880.
Beak	Named after the Beak family, a well-known pastoral family of the district.
Bedford	After the 19th century District-Surveyor BEDFORD
Belle Vue Terrace	Unknown
Bennett	Named after Alderman Phillip Bennett of North Rockhampton Council
Bernard	Named after Frenchman, Bernard Pene, owner of Cremorne Hotel, which was in that area
Berserker	Berserker, in line with the Berserker Mountain, named by the Archers. The term “Berserker” derives from Old Norse literature and refers to an ancient Norse warrior who fought with uncontrollable rage and frenzy. The word “berserker” itself is believed to come from the Old Norse word “berserkir,” meaning “bear-shirt” or “bear-skin,” possibly indicating that these warriors wore bear skins or symbolically took on the strength and ferocity of a bear in battle.
Bertram	Named after a past resident of Rockhampton, Mr Andrew Bertram, who managed the Lakes Creek meatworks and Wilson, Hart and Co timber merchants.
Bevis	Named after Mr Tom Bevis, known as Tom the Bellman (or town crier), also a scenic painter.
Birch	Named after George Birch of Birch, Carrol and Coyle fame. Was once a licensee of the Criterion Hotel and lived in Rockhampton.
Birdwood	Named after Field Marshal Sir William Birdwood, Commander of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Forces in the War
Bishop	As part of the Catholic owned Cathedral Estate was named after the then RC Bishop Rev. Dr. J Shiel.
Blackall	Named after the second Queensland Governor (1868–71) Samuel Wensley BLACKALL.
Bolsover	Once the longest street in Rockhampton (~ 2 miles in 1932). Named after a district in Derbyshire, England.
Bolton	Named after Alderman Michael Bolton.
Bowden	Named after a former Rockhampton accountant by the name of Vivian BOWDEN.
Bowen	Named after Queensland’s 1st governor (1859–1868) Sir George Bowen
Bowen Terrace	Also named after Queensland’s 1st governor (1859–1868) Sir George Bowen. Along with Beaconsfield and Belle Vue Terraces, situated near the town reservoir.
Bracher	Named after Ernest Bracher Purnell, who was Rockhampton branch secretary of the Waterside Worker’s Federation and a member of the Rockhampton Harbour Board. Street location is near the place of the once Wandal tram terminal. Bracher was chosen over Purnell to avoid confusion with Parnell Street.
Brae	Named after the subdivision of land, which was once Braeside, a property owned by McPerson, a former Government sheep inspector.
Alick	Named after son of Chinese merchant Tung Yeen, who traded under name of Wing Wah. Tung Yeen owned the 22 acres of land that comprised the subdivision.
Acheson	Named after George Acheson, from Acheson and Allen storekeepers cnr William and East in the 1880s.
Albert	Name from the Prince Consort
Allen	Named in honour of William Allen, from Acheson and Allen storekeepers cnr William and East in the 1880s. Located in Allenstown, also named after William Allen who bought two large land portions and subdivided and sold them for housing allotments £15 ea.
Allenby	Named after Field Marshall Viscount Allenby
Alma	Named after the Alma River in Russia, SW of Crimea, a reflection of the Crimean War and the victory over Russia in April 20, 1854
Anderson	Unknown
Ann	Origin uncertain
Anniki	Origin uncertain
Archer	Named after Charles and William Archer, who founding Rockhampton in 1853.
Armstrong	Named after Mr Armstrong, who owned Armstrong Estate.
Arnold	Unknown
Arrow	Intersects with Bow Street. Reason for name unknown.
Arthur	Named after Arthur Francis Wood (also Francis and Wood streets)
Athelstane	Located on slope of the Athelstane Range (“The Range”). First Police Magistrate named The Range Athelstane after his house “Mt Athelstane”. Name, Æthelstan, refers to the first King of England (924 to 939), a Saxon who invaded Scotland.
Brecknall	Unknown
Bridge	Named by North Rockhampton Council because it runs beside Moore’s Creek
Brown	Named after a water police magistrate William John Brown
Buckle	Unknown
Burke	Thought attributed to one of the ill-fated explorers, Burke and Wills, since Wills Street is in the same locality.
Burnett	Named after Thomas Burnett, associated with the former Burnettville Hotel, cnr Musgrave Street and Lakes Creek Road.
Byrnes	Named after former Queensland Premier (1898), Thomas J. Byrnes.
Bourke	Named after Christopher W BOURKE, owner of land where the street was surveyed.

C-D

Street Name	Known Origin
Cairns	Named after Queensland Governor (1875-7), William Wellington Cairns.
Callan	Named after A J CALLAN, former Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Mt Morgan. Also director of Mt Morgan Gold Mining Co. and first to take up Torilla Station (1860).
Cambridge	Named after English university of same name (also Oxford and Eton).
Campbell	Named after early Rockhampton surveyor named A H CAMPBELL.
Canning	Thought named after noble British statesman, Viscount CANNING, similar to naming of Gladstone and Beaconsfield after noblemen.
Canovan	Named after Alderman Canovan of previous North Rockhampton Council. Prior to joining of north and south Rockhampton councils, the street was known as Albert Street. Renamed to Canovan to avoid confusion with Albert Street in South Rockhampton.
Card	Named after Albert CARD, a Rockhampton real estate conveyancer.
Caroline	Named associates with Queen Caroline Of England, who was with Willliam IV, who ruled before Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837
Carr	Named after John CARR, well known identify of Depot Hill.
Cathedral	Named because of association with St Joseph’s Cathedral. Was a dead end street running from Talford Street to the former Christian Brothers college (now The Cathedral College).
Catherine	Uncertain
Cavell	Named in honour of Nurse Edith Louisa CAVELL of war fame (WW1), who was shot by the Germans.
Caxton	Named after the first English printer.
Charles	Was once known as Queen Street. Reason for re-naming unknown. Today it crosses Moore’s Creek to access a walking track through Kershaw Gardens.
Charlotte	Unknown origin
Charlton	Named after Alderman William CHARLTON, Rockhampton mayor 1931-3.
Cavon	Unknown origin
Church	Site of a former small church built by Andrew Ross of Balnagowan.
Clifton	Thought named after the district in Bristol, England, with the same name.
Codd	Named after James CODD, butcher of North Rockhampton.
Connolly	Named after Alderman Thomas CONNOLLY, former Mayor of Rockhampton.
Connor	Named after G D CONNOR, auctioneer and commission agent, considered one of the oldest residents of Rockhampton
Considine	Named after Alderman Michael Considine.
Cooper	Named after Mr Henry Cooper, owner of stock and station business in Rockhampton
Corberry	Unknown
Corio	Unknown
Costello	Named after Thomas Costello, railway guard, who live in adjoining Church Street.
Cousins	Once known as Oxford Road. Named after Alderman R Cousins.
Cowap	Named after Frank Cowap, past resident of Rockhampton
Creek	Near Moore’s Creek, hence the name.
Crew	Said to be named after past Rockhampton residents by the name of Crew.
Curran	Unknown
Curtis	Named after G S Curtis, auctioneer, commission agent and general merchant of Rockhampton. Curtis also represented Rockhampton in the Qld parliament for some years and owned the Criterion Hotel at one stage.
Dagmar	Taken from the house “Dagmar” of Thomas McDonald-Paterson that was situated on the subdivided land.
Daniel	Named after Owen Daniel, Alderman of Rockhampton City Council and later MLA for Keppel.
D’arcy	Named after W K D’Arcy, solicitor of Rockhampton, who became extremely rich after speculating with Mt Morgan shares and purchased the Morgan Brothers’ share in the mine.
Davis	Name of William Davis, early town clerk of Rockhampton.
Dawson Road	Upper and Lower Dawson roads formed the start of the main road to the Dawson River.
Dean	Named after W T Dean, town clerk of Rockhampton in the 1930s.
Denham	Uncertain origin though possibly named after a public figure of Queensland or New South Wales. Not thought to be Digby F Denham as it existed before he became Premier.
Denison	Named after Sir William Thomas Denison (1804–1871), appointed Governor of NSW in 1855 and therefore nominal Governor-General of the Australian colonies, which included Queensland.
Depot	Named after the depot for immigrants in the locality (Also Hill Street).
Derby	Named after Earl of Derby.
Dibdin	Named after R L Dibdin auctioneer and commission agent of Rockhampton.
Duck	Unknown
Dunbar	Named after Thomas Dunbar, ex-employee of Lakes Creek Company.
Dunlop	In honour of Captain Dunlop, father of T A Dunlop (MLA), who represented Rockhampton in the Qld Legislative Assembly.
Dunn	Named after former Alderman F J Dunn

E–F

Street Name	Known Origin
Earl	Named after Ephriam Earl, former North Rockhampton cemetery sexton. Part of subdivision of Dean Murley Estate and originally named Dean Street, North Rockhampton.
East	One of four streets (also North, South and West) coined as a direction, which once formed the boundary of the township. Living outside these four was considered living in the ‘bush’. Of note, East Street runs southeast to northeast rather than pure east.
Edgar	Named after city mayor, Alderman John Edgar, in 1909.
Edington	Named by North Rockhampton Council. Origin unknown.
Edward	Named when King Edward VII was Prince of Wales.
Edwin	Likely named after Alderman Edwin Macaree, former Mayor of North Rockhampton.
Eldon	Named after Earl ELDON, Lord Chancellor England from 1801–1827.
Elgin	Named after a house “Forres Elgin”situated on land that was subdivided with one of the streets given the name Elgin.
Elizabeth	Uncertain origin
Ellis	Uncertain origin
Elphinstone	Possibly taken from first name of Elphinstone DALRYMPLE
The Esplanade	Location is river bank at North Rockhampton. Uncertain origin.
Eton	Named after English university of same name.
Evans	Named after  R W EVANS, Rockhampton mayor 1936–39
Exhibition Road	Named because of proximity to Show Grounds
Face	Named after Alderman J W Face, former Mayor of North Rockhampton.
Farm	Named after Stewart’s farm that was in the area.
Farrell	Named after Alderman William Farrell, Mayor of Rockhampton in 1914 and also publican of the Old Exchange Hotel.
Ferguson	In memory of John Ferguson, MLC, significant share holder in Mt Morgan and Mayor of Rockhampton 1880, 1881 and 1883.
Fiddes	Named after Hug Fiddes, Mayor of Rockhampton, 1894, and 1898-1899.
Flynn	Uncertain
Ford	Named after a North Rockhampton resident.
Foreman	Named after Edward Forman, grocer of East Street and ardent Socialist.
Francis	Named after Arthur Francis Wood, surveyor, as were Arthur and Wood streets also.
Fitzpatrick	Named after Alderman H Fitzpatrick.

G–H

Street Name	Known Origin
Garden	Name as such because in locality known for attractive gardens.
Gardner	Name after Alderman H S GARDNER
George	Like named after King George V, who opened the first parliament of the Commonwealth in 1901 as Duke of York
Gillespie	In memory of J D Gillespie, principal of the Remington Business College, teaching many individuals of the city to write shorthand
Gladstone	Named because it heads to Gladstone, which was named after the British statesman, W E Gladstone.
Glencoe	Various possible sources. Specific unknown.
Glenmore Road	Named because it led to Glenmore Station, established 1858 by Macartney.
Goodsall	Named after Joseph Goodsall, past builder and contractor of Rockhampton
Goodson	Named after Alderman W H Goodson.
Gordon	Named after J P J Gordon, chemist of Corberry Street.
Goss	Named after Alderman W R Goss.
Gough	Was previously known as Fitzroy Street but changed after amalgamation of North with South Rockhampton into the “Greater Rockhampton” scheme to avoid confusion with Fitzroy Street in South Rockhampton. Named after Alderman C O Gough, Mayor of North Rockhampton and then of Rockhampton in 1918.
Grace	Named in honour of a “study” city vanman
Grant	Named after an early timber merchant of the same name
Gregory	Thought named after Australian explorer by same name.
Griffith	Named after Sir Samuel Griffith, Attorney General of Queensland in 1874 and Premier 1890–1893.
Grubb	Named after Thomas Grubb, retired railway signalman, known for his hand at draughts and chess.
Hadgraft	Named after a Rockhampton family. Mr Hadgraft worked for the Marine Department.
Haig	Named after Earl Haig, British commander in chief during WW1 in France.
Hall	Named after T S Hall, a Mount Morgan millionaire and early manager of the Queensland National Bank, Rockhampton.
Harbourne	Named after a family residing in area. Mr Harbourne worked at Lake’s Creek meatworks.
Hardacre	Named after H F Hardacre, Minister in Premier T J Ryan’s government.
Harrow	Named after the English university of the same name.
Hartley	Named after S W Hartley, mayor of Rockhampton 1895.
Harvey	Named after family residing in the area of Port Curtis.
Hawkins	Named after family residing in locality at rear of reservoir.
Hay	Dead end street running from Derby to block between West and Talford Streets; named after James Leith Hay, early pioneer of CQ and one time owner of Rannes Station.
Haynes	Name given from Captain Haynes, former pilot of Harbours and Rivers Department
Headrick	Named in memory of John Headrick, principal of Headrick and Livermore firm.
Heath	Named after Captain Heath, Queensland’s first portmaster
Hedlow Lane	Named after Mount Hedlow in the Yeppoon district. Ran off Musgrave street opposite Bernard Street, North Rockhampton.
Herbert	Named after T W Herbert, Queensland Premier 1859–1866.
Henderson	Named after Thomas Henderson, Rockhampton Mayor 1903.
Henry	Named after Henry Jones, who had house in vicinity and a business situated where Denham Bros followed. He was a pioneer timber merchant
High	Unknown
Highway	Unknown
Higson	Named after the brothers T K and W K Higson, City Council members. T K Higson was Mayor in 1890.
Hill	Joins Depot Street, in Depot Hill, which was named after the depot for immigrants in the locality.
Hinz	Named after a North Rockhampton resident.
Hogan	Named after Alderman of North Rockhampton Council.
Hollingsworth	Named after Thomas Hollingsworth, employee of Captain Hunter (see Hunter Street) and owner of a ketch (a 2 masted sailing boat) to St Lawrence.
Hopkins	Named after William Hopkins, stationer of North Rockhampton.
Horace	Unknown
Horner	Named after well-known railway station master, Alexander Horner.
Horton	Named after Edward Horton, who owned a large amount of Rockhampton property.
Huet	Named after Huet the dentist family.
Hunter	Named after Captain Hunter, Rockhampton mayor 1866–1870.
Hutton	Named after surveyor F W Hutton, who was also Alderman on the Rockhampton City Council in the 1930s.

I–L

Street Name	Known Origin
Jessie	Named after the first name of Mrs Agnes Spencer’s daughter, Jessie Spencer, who married Thomas Atherton of Mt Hedlow. Being one of four streets (see also Ward, Agnes and Spencer Streets) named in the subdivision of John Ward’s land on the Athelstane Range, this appears a stronger case for the name than the one given by the Evening News of Jessie Headrick of Headrick and Livermore.
Inkerman	A legacy of the battle of Inkerman, Nov 5 1854 in relation to the Crimean War. Similar to Balaclava and Alma Street.
Iredale	Named after Charles Iredale, Alderman on city council.
Jackson	Name taken from W G Jackson, Rockhampton mayor 1877–1878.
Jane	Unknown
Jardine	Named corresponds with Jardine Lagoon, which carries the name of John Jardine, early police magistrate of Rockhampton and father of explorers Frank and Alexander Jardine.
Jeffries	Named after J Jeffries, Alderman of City Council.
Jellicoe	Possibly named after Commander in Chief Admiral JELLICOE of Jutland
John	Unknown
Johnson	Named after H W Johnson, Rockhampton mayor 1901.
Joyner	Named after North Rockhampton family.
Jones	Named after a family of Rockhampton.
Kalare	Unknown
Kellow	Named after H A Kellow, headmaster of Rockhampton Boy’s Grammar School.
Kelly	Named after Thomas Kelly, Rockhampton mayor 1886–1887.
Kennedy	Possibly from Sir Arthur Edward Kenned, Queensland governor 1877–1883.
Kent	Named after Duke of Kent, the father of Queen Victoria.
Kerrigan	Named after Alderman J KERRIGAN
King	Possibly in line with the last named street in vicinity, Queen Street.
Kingel	Named after Theo. Kingel, Rockhampton mayor 1917–1919, 1924–1926.
Kirkellen	Unknown
Knight	Named after Horace Knight, a resident of Frenchman’s Creek.
Knutsford	Knutsford was a parliamentary division in Cheshire, England.
Linnett	Named after Alderman John Linnett (MLA), Mayor of North Rockhampton Council and represented North Rockhampton on the Legislative Assembly. Also owned a butcher business. Re-named from Rose Street, North Rockhampton which took its name from the 1880s rose garden of Eustus Werner who lived in that street.
Lakes Creek Road	Named after Captain Lake, master of coastal steamers between NSW and Qld.
Lamington	Governor of Queensland 1896–1901 was Baron Lamington.
Lanigan	Named after Edward Lanigan, who had a dairy.
Larcombe	Named after James Larcombe, Minister for Railways in Queensland.
Larnach	Named after John A Larnach, local branch manager of Bank of New South Wales.
Lauga	Named after North Rockhampton resident.
Leamington	Name comes from the Leamington Springs, England.
Lee	Named after Alderman T J Lee, Rockhampton mayor, 1932.
Leichhardt	In honour of Frederick Wilhelm Ludwig Leichhardt, German born explorer of Australia who disappeared in 1848.
Lennox	Unknown
Lion Creek Road	Leads to Lion Creek, with headwaters in Lion Mountain, which was so named by the Archer Brothers because of its shape.
Littler	Named after W W Littler, Rockhampton mayor, 1896–1897.
Livermore	Named after E P Livermore, principal of Livermore and Headrick and Rockhampton mayor 1865, and 1871–1873.
Livingstone	Named after the Scottish missionary and explorer of Africa, David Livingstone.
Lloyd	Named after early identities.
Lucas	Named after Mr E S Lucas, original owner of Lucas’ store in East Street.
Lucius	First name of a member of the W K D’Arcy family.

M–O

Street Name	Known Origin
Macaree	Named after Edward Macaree, early mayor of Rockhampton.
MacDonald	Unknown
Mansfield	Named after Mr P D Mansfield, Rockhampton mayor 1862.
Margaret	Unknown
Mary	Unknown
Mason	Unknown
McAlister	In honour of Arthur McAlister, Colonial Secretary 1866–1867 and 1874–1876.
McDougall	Named after local resident, James McDougall, who was a boot importer.
McFarlane	Named after Alderman McFarlane, Rockhampton mayor 1875–1876. Was known as Church Street until amalgamation of north and south Rockhampton councils.
McGregor	Named after Sir William McGregor, Queensland governor, 1902–1914.
McKelligett	Takes the name from Mr R McKelligett, Rockhampton mayor 1863–1864.
McIlwraith	Named after Queensland Premier Sir Thomas McIlwraith.
Meade	Name of chemist in early Rockhampton.
Medcraf	Named after Harry Medcraf, Rockhampton mayor 1905, 1908 and 1911.
Melbourne	Takes name of Charles Sidney Dick Melbourne, early Rockhampton solicitor.
Meter	Given name around time meters were discussed by early Rockhampton authorities.
Millewa	Unknown
Millroy	Named after James Millroy of Millroy’s, East Street, Rockhampton’s leading store for many years.
Moffat	Named after Mr T B Moffat, drover and one time proprietor of the Dunmore Arms Hotel.
Moonie	Unknown
Moore	Name associated with Moore’s Creek.
Morgan	Named after Mr F A Morgan, one brother of the three who founded Mt Morgan gold mine. An early licensee of the Criterion Hotel and was Rockhampton mayor 1891–1895.
Morrison	Named in memory of John Morrison, Rockhampton mayor 1915–1916 and owner of Leichhardt Hotel for many years.
Mostyn	Unknown
Mountain	Lead along Kalka Shades toward the mountains.
Munro	Named after William Munro, stationers of Rockhampton; founder of Munro and Co.
Murray	Takes the name of Mr G P M Murray, Native Police Inspector, Rockhampton and then Police Magistrate, Brisbane.
Musgrave	Named after Sir Anthony Musgrave, Queensland Governor 1883.
Namoi	Unknown
Nathan	Takes name from Sir Matthew Nathan, Queensland Governor, 1920.
Naughton	Named after William Naughton who had Naughton Estate, a property divided into residential blocks with Naughton hamed as one of its streets.
Nicholson	Takes name from Sir Charles Nicholson, one time Premier of NSW and owner of bushland property around Rockhampton.
Nobbs	Named after Thomas Nobbs, a North Rockhampton mayor.
Noel	Unknown
Norman	In honour of Sir Henry Wylie Norman, Queensland Governor 1889–1895.
Normanby Road	Named after the Marquess of Normanby, Queensland Govenor 1871–1874.
Norris	Named after Captain Cornelius Norris, boat builder of Rockhampton.
North	The northern boundary of Rockhampton at the time named.
Oakley	Named changed from Lagoon Street after petition by locals.
Oswald	Named after Mr Frank Oswald Foster, who was a dentist and alderman of Rockhampton.
Oxford	Name taken from University in England of same name.

P–R

Street Name	Known Origin
Painswick	Unknown
Palmer	In honour of John Palmer, mayor 1861 and an early merchant of Rockhampton.
Park	Because it was situated in Queen’s Park area.
Park Avenue	Road that went from the river bank across Glenmore through to Carroll Street, which met Yaamba Road. Named in association with Queen’s Park.
Parnell	Named after Mr A H Parnell, Rockhampton Mayor, 1904, 1907 & 1912.
Part	Mr Samuel Part was ship’s chandler in early Rockhampton days; The Part family was well-known in Rockhampton at one time.
Patrick	Sir Joseph Patrick a local driver of a hansom cab (horse-drawn)
Paterson	Mr T Madonald Paterson was Rockhampton mayor in 1870.
Pattison	Mr William Pattison, was an early resident, arriving in 1864 in Rockhampton and became mayor in 1874.
Penlington	Mr Thomas Penlington was Rockhampton mayor in 1900.
Pennycuick	Mr K G Pennycuick was an early Rockhampton engineer.
Pershing	Named after Brigadier-General J J Pershing, an American army leader during WW1
Peter	Origin unknown
Peterson	Named after early residents of Rockhampton
Phillips	Named after Mr J E Phillips of Medcraft’s Ltd who was a former alderman. This north Rockhampton street was originally named Archer Street.
Phyllis	Unknown origin
Pilkington	Carries the name of Mr G Pilkington, who had a house on the Berserker Mountains and lived to 100 years.
Pine	Unknown
Power	Named after Mayor Power of early Rockhampton
Princess	Unknown
Private	Unknown
Prospect	Originally named Cemetery Road
Quarry	Named because it ran along the top of the quarry
Quay	Named because it runs along the Fitzroy River. “Quay” meaning a structure built parallel to the bank of a waterway for use as a landing place
Queen	Complements the next street, which is King Street
Randwick	Unknown
Reaney	Named after W A Reaney, who was Mayor of the former North Rockhampton Council. Originally known as Wharf Street, North Rockhampton.
Renshaw	T B Renshaw was Rockhampton Mayor in 1913
Reserve	Unknown
Reservoir	Named because it runs adjacent to the reservoir on the Athelstane Range
Richardson Road	Originally called Myrtle Street. Named after A J Richardson.
Richmond	Unknown
Richter	Named after a North Rockhampton family
Rhodes	Named after Cecil John Rhodes, founder of Rhodesia in British South Africa and provider of the Rhodes scholarships in perpetuity for a 3-year term of about 175 students at Oxford.
River	Runs along the river near the Rockhampton Show Grounds
Robert	Unknown
Robinson	Originally Alma Street, North Rockhampton. Named after J W Robinson, member of the former North Rockhampton council.
Rockonia Road	Named after the property of E S Lucas: “Rockonia”, which was the first home built close to the mountains.
Rodboro	Unknown
Rose	Unknown naming of street that runs from Lakes Creek Road at Kalka. See Linnett Street, for a former Rose Street in North Rockhampton.
Ross	Named after early residents living in area
Rundle	Named after Captain Rundle, Rockhampton port and harbour master of bygone era
Rustic	unknown

S–W

Street Name	Known Origin
Ward	Mr Ward, estate owner who subdivided land on The Range (see also Agnes, Jessie and Spencer Streets)
Spencer	Surname of Mr Ward’s wife, Mrs Agnes Spencer (see also Ward, Agnes and Jessie Streets)*
Seigle	Unknown
Salamanca	Possibly the Salamanca Battle in the Peninsula War (1807–1814) of the Iberian Peninsula, where lies Spain and Portugal
Sebastopol	Possibly the Sebastapol Battle, which was part of the Peninsula War (1807–1814) in the Iberian Peninsula, where lies Spain and Portugal
Savage	Named after Rev. Savage, who was a Congregational minister
Sedborough	Carries the name of Mr Sedborough Rutherford, whose father was Rockhampton’s first chemist, cnr Quay & Denham Sts.
Separation	Possibly named in honour of the Separation Movement, when headed by G B Curtis
School House	Runs from Reaney to Bridge Street along the site of the former North Rockhampton State School. The school became Rockhampton’s Special School and the site today holds the Kingsley College.
Schulz	Named after Frederick Schulz, an early bridge builder and resident of Rockhampton
Schwab	Carries the name of A J Schwab, tobacconist and business owner of North Rockhampton
Sharples	Named after Robert Sharples, Rockhampton mayor in 1882
Short	Named because it was a short thoroughfare connecting Upper and Lower Dawson Roads, near the quarry
Simpson	Unknown
Skardon	Originally Arthur Street, North Rockhampton, was renamed after Charles Skardon, Mayor in 1870
Smith	Unknown
South	One of four streets (also North, East and West) coined as a direction, which once formed the boundary of the township. Living outside these four was considered living in the ‘bush’.
Spike	Named after an early resident who had a notable garden in the area
Stack	Named after Patrick Stack, former works foreman for North Rockhampton.
Stamford	Unknown
Stanley	Carries name of historic English family
Stenhouse	Originally known as King Street, North Rockhampton. Named after family in area.
Sturt	Named after the explorer
Talford	unknown
Taylor	unknown
Thackeray	Originally Henry Street, North Rockhampton. Named after Mr Thackeray, who established the “North Rockhampton Times”. See Tomkins Street also.
Thomasson	Named after Samuel Thomasson, Rockhampton mayor 1902
Thompson	Carries name of Senator General W G Thompson, who owned property in area
Thorn	Named after George Thorn, a member of Qld’s legislative assembly and whose father founded Ipswich
Thornton	unknown
Thozet’s Road	Named after Mr Anthleme Thozet, a keen botanist from Lyons, France, who had home in Kalka, Rockhampton with a notable garden
Thurston	Carries name of Dr Thurston, hospital’s first medical officer residing in Rockhampton
Toft	Originally Fitzroy Street ext., North Rockhampton. Takes name from Mr William Toft of Koongal, who became a member of the Livingstone Shire Council
Tomkins	Originally named Hall Street, North Rockhampton. Named after Edward Curston Tomkins. Tomkins married Mr Thackeray’s daughter.
Tozer	After Sir Horace Tozer, Qld member of legislative assembly for Gympie
Tung Yeen	Named after Chinese merchant Tung Yeen, who traded under name of Wing Wah. Tung Yeen owned the 22 acres of land that comprised the subdivision. See also Alick Street.
Turner Road	unknown
Tuson	Carries name of George TUSON, manager of Union Bank of Australia
Underwood	Named after Alderman A C UNDERWOOD
Unmack	Named after prominent public figure, Theodore UNMACK
Verney	Carries name of the secretary of Rockhampton Employers’ Association and one time president of the Chamber of CoMmerce: J J VERNEY
Victor	unknown
Victoria Parade	In honour of Queen Victoria
Victoria Place	In honour of Queen Victoria
Victoria Street	In honour of Queen Victoria
Voss	Named after Dr F H V VOSS, who founded the Hillcrest Hospital, Rockhampton
Wackford	Carries the name of Henry WACKFORD, a blacksmith of early Rockhampton
Wakefield	J WAKEFIELD was Rockhampton mayor 1885
Wambool	unknown
Wandal Road	unknown
Ward	Named after John WARD, an early publican who owned the Criterion Hotel and also alderman of Rockhampton. He also owned a lot of property include land on the Athelstane Range which he subdivided and named streets in honour of his family. Streets in vicinity carry Mr Ward’s family’s names, e.g. Mrs Agnes SPENCER and her daughter Jessica (see Agnes, Jessie and Spencer Streets)
Water	unknown
Waterloo	In memory of the Battle of Waterloo (June 18, 1815) in the southern Netherlands (now Belgium). It was was Napoleon’s final defeat
Waterview	Leads down to the river and hence the name
Wattle	Because of the many wattle trees growing wild in the vicinity. (Most likely the Brigalow Wattle, Acacia harpophylla, commonly known as brigalow)
Waurn	unknown
Weinholt	Named after a well known family in the Queensland Assembly
Wentworth Terrace	Named after explorer William Charles WENTWORTH
Werner	Name of early North Rockhampton residents
Werribee	Similar to name of township in Victoria
West	One of four streets (also North, East and South) coined as a direction, which once formed the boundary of the township. Living outside these four was considered living in the ‘bush’.
Western	Thought named because of its locality to the west
Wharf	Because located near a wharf, runs along the river
Wheatcroft	Named after John WHEATCROFT, first headmaster Rockhampton Boy’s Grammar School
William	Refers to King William IV
Williamson	Originally Garden Street, North Rockhampton. Named after James WILLIAMSON, a former mayor.
Wilkinson	Originally Wandal Street. Named after George Wilkinson, a resident of that area at the time and became may in 1910.
Willis	Named after Jack WILLIS, alderman of the 1890s
Wills	In honour of the explorer William John WILLS (1834–1861) who accompanied Robert O’Hara BURKE
Wimmera	Possibly taken from Victorian town of same name
Wiseman	WISEMAN was Rockhampton’s first Police Magistrate.
Witt	unknown
Woolcock	Named after a Rockhampton family
Yarra	Naming possibly relating to the Yarra River in Victoria
York	Named after a North Rockhampton family

Rockhampton street name sources

See also History In Place Names, Morning Bulletin 13 Feb 1950