We have the answers for nine of them thanks to Ron Lawson, the former JP who is also part of the excellent Sunderland Antiquarian Society.
He shares his knowledge with us as well as plenty of historic photographs.
Find out why pubs such as the Bush Inn and Wellington Hotel were given their identity.
Ron gets our thanks once more for another great feature from his own archive of 11,500 photos.
To find out more about the history of Sunderland, visit the society’s Facebook page or its website at http://www.sunderland-antiquarians.org
If you’ve got pub memories please contact Chris Cordner on [email protected]
5. The William Pile
The William Pile was named after a ship builder and was a favourite of Dame Dorothy Street from 1871 to 1959. Photo: Ron Lawson. Photo: Ron Lawson
6. The Look Out Inn
The Look Out Inn was named after one of the four hills in Monkwearmouth which were 'all ballast hills' caused by the ships which had to get rid of their ballast as they came in to Sunderland. Photo: Ron Lawson. Photo: Ron Lawson
7. Aylmer Arms
The Aylmer Arms got its name from the Aylmer family who were landowners in Deptford. It was open from 1853 to 1960. Photo: Ron Lawson. Photo: Ron Lawson
8. The Jack Crawford
The Jack Crawford which was named after Sunderland's very own hero of the Battle of Camperdown in 1797 in which Jack Crawford recovered the colours from a damaged mast, climbed the mast and nailed them back on. The pub was on Whitburn Street and Charles Street Photo: Ron Lawson