The origin of the name Frankston remains a topic of historical debate, with several competing theories proposed over the years. Among the most widely accepted explanations is the belief that the suburb was named after Frank Liardet, one of the area’s earliest European settlers and landholders.

This theory, first documented in the Victorian Historical Magazine in March 1916, points to Liardet’s early presence and influence in the region. The Liardet family were well-known pioneers in early Melbourne, arriving from England aboard the William Metcalfe in 1839. Frank Liardet’s father, Wilbraham Liardet, played a key role in Melbourne’s early development, founding what is now Port Melbourne and establishing hotels across the growing settlement. The family was instrumental in operating some of Melbourne’s earliest hospitality businesses and even helped establish the township’s first mail service.

Frank Liardet settled in the Frankston area in 1847 after securing a 300-acre depasturing licence over land that now forms part of the Karingal district. During this period, he constructed the first known wooden house in the area. This dwelling later became part of the Ballam Park estate following the official land sales of 1854, marking a significant step in Frankston’s formal development.

Before establishing himself in Frankston, Liardet worked on the cattle run of Captain Benjamin Baxter, the first Postmaster of the Port Phillip District. Baxter’s property covered areas now known as Langwarrin and Langwarrin South, further linking Liardet to the broader early settlement of the region.

By the time Liardet obtained his depasturing licence in 1847, an informal fishing village had already begun to take shape along Frankston’s foreshore. This growing coastal community, combined with Liardet’s settlement and land ownership, has led many historians to believe his name became permanently associated with the area.

While alternative theories remain, the connection to Frank Liardet continues to be one of the most compelling explanations for the toponymic origins of Frankston, reflecting the suburb’s deep ties to Melbourne’s early colonial history.