ASUNDER-LAND

I have found out that the name Sunderland comes from

'ASUNDER-LAND'
Literally a land torn assunder


Sunderland is on the North East coastline of England, it spans the River Wear which flows directly into the North Sea.


on his website
http://www.localhistories.org/sunderland.html
Tim Lambert states


'Sunderland was once asunder-land that is land cut asunder, separated or put to one side.' 


and the Masonic Lodge website
http://www.sunderlandlodge.co.uk/page_1266967782787.html
believes it to be due to the River Wear which flows to the North Sea in the now city

when you look at the photo above and walk through the bustling city it's hard to believe it was once a tiny landing with around 30 houses for fishermen.