Port Macquarie is named after Lachlan Macquarie, who was the Governor of New South Wales from 1810 to 1821. The coastal city was named by the explorer John Oxley in 1818 during his expedition to explore inland New South Wales and reach the Pacific Ocean. Oxley named the location Port Macquarie in honor of Governor Lachlan Macquarie

. Lachlan Macquarie was a British Army officer and colonial administrator credited with significant social, economic, and architectural development in New South Wales. He played a crucial role in the transition of the colony from a penal settlement to a free society and was a major sponsor of exploration in the region. Many places and institutions in Australia bear his name as a tribute to his influence

. Thus, Port Macquarie commemorates Governor Lachlan Macquarie's legacy and his role in the early history of New South Wales.