The entrance to Lessness Park, Upper Belvedere, which was located off Heron Hill.

The district was originally known as Lessness Heath but changed its name in the middle of the 19th century from Lessness Heath to Belvedere after Belvedere House, the principal residence, whose owners most influenced the growth of the village.

The spelling of Lessness occurs in various forms, for example, Lesnes, Lesness, and Lessness.