The area of Sunderland Farringdon is built on was formed during the Permian period, and as per the wider region is theorized to have been a shallow carbonate sea.

The British Geological Survey memoir for this specific locality refers to the superficial deposits of the area as 'Complex drift of East Herrington and Silksworth', a thin sequence of bedded sand, gravels and clays.

[16] Following the Dissolution of the monasteries the Farringdon Monastic Grange was returned to the crown and later granted to Sir John Forster by Queen Elizabeth I.

[17] During the English Civil War the Scottish Army crossed the River Wear at South Hylton and set up their headquarters at Farringdon Hall.

In 1950, Sunderland authorities purchased 208.69 acres (84.45 ha)[20] and set out plans for the creation of a new estate consisting of over 1,400 houses,[21] creating today's Farringdon.

[24][better source needed] In 1998, Sunderland City Council proposed the creation of Farringdon Country Park, a designated recreational and conservation space neighbouring the suburb.