Vision of Britain | 1881 Census: Ages

1881 Census of England and Wales, Tables: Ages, Condition as to Marriage, Occupations and Birthplaces of people, Table 10 : " Occupations of Males and Females in the Division and its Registration Counties".

List Middlesex RegC	Stepney RegD/PLU

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	343	12
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	151	8
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	59	1
Police	110	-
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	23	3
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	48	1
Army Officer (effective/retired)	3	-
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	6	-
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	2	-
Army Pensioner	11	-
Navy Officer (effective/retired)	3	-
Seaman, R.N.	9	-
Navy Pensioner	14	1
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	254	302
Clergymen (Established Church)	6	-
Roman Catholic Priest	2	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	6	-
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	9	8
Theological Student	2	-
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	9	5
Barrister, Solicitor	4	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	22	-
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	20	-
Dentist	2	-
Medical Student, Assistant	20	-
Midwife	-	5
Subordinate Medical Service	6	96
Schoolmaster	55	140
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	5	8
School Service, and others connected with teaching	11	8
Author, Editor, Journalist	2	-
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	4	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	2	-
Literary, Scientific, Institution, Service, &c.	1	3
Civil Engineer	13	-
Mining Engineer	2	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	2	-
Painter (artist)	5	2
Engraver (artist)	2	-
Architect	3	-
Musician, Music Master	20	20
Photographer	4	3
Actor	1	3
Art, Music, Theatre Service	4	-
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	9	1
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	1	-
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	299	2,149
Domestic Coachman, Groom	16	-
Domestic Indoor Servant	54	1,484
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	9	1
Inn, Hotel Servant	187	89
College, Club Service	2	-
Office Keeper (not Government)	10	12
Cook (not domestic)	9	5
Charwoman	-	229
Washing and Bathing Service	4	320
Hospital and Institution Service	1	9
Others engaged in Service	7	-
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	744	22
Merchant	3	1
Broker, Agent, Factor	26	1
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	10	1
Accountant	11	-
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	4	5
Commercial Traveller	73	4
Commercial Clerk	577	9
Banker	1	-
Bank Service	19	1
Bill Discounter, Bill Broker, Finance Agent	1	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	19	-
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	4,529	31
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	16	-
Railway Guard	3	-
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	4	-
Other Railway Officials and Servants	108	1
Toll Collector, Turnpike Gate Keeper	2	-
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	8	-
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	52	-
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	656	2
Tramway Companies' Service	5	-
Inland Navigation Service	23	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	703	3
Navigation Service (on shore)	7	-
Seaman (Merchant Service)	898	4
Pilot	19	-
Ship Steward, Cook	67	2
Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service	1,456	1
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	116	10
Meter, Weigher	15	-
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	362	3
Telegraph, Telephone Service	9	5
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	62	14
Farmer, Grazier	7	-
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	2	-
Farm Bailiff	9	-
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	18	6
Others engaged in, or connected with agriculture	1	1
Woodman	21	5
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	-	1
Gardener (not domestic)	4	1
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	100	5
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	3	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	51	1
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	33	1
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	5	-
Drover	2	-
Dog, Bird, Animal - Keeper, Dealer	-	1
Vermin Destroyer	1	-
Fisherman	2	-
Knacker, Catsmeat Dealer &c &c.	3	2
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	195	50
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	12	3
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	1	-
Bookbinder	30	42
Printer	133	3
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	9	2
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	10	-
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	516	21
Engine, Machine Maker	119	4
Millwright	3	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	194	2
Boiler Maker	105	1
Tool Maker, Dealer	2	-
Cutler, Scissors Maker	8	-
File Maker	3	-
Saw Maker	8	-
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	20	3
Philosophical Instrument Maker	21	-
Electrical Apparatus Maker	6	-
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	3	-
Gunsmith, Gun Manufacturer	6	1
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	13	4
Die, Seal, Coin, Medal Maker	1	-
Toy Maker, Dealer	3	5
Apparatus for other games, Maker, Dealer	1	1
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	1,200	39
Builder	50	-
Carpenter, Joiner	378	1
Bricklayer	213	2
Mason	32	-
Slater, Tiler	5	-
Plasterer, Whitewasher	30	-
Paperhanger	8	-
Plumber	84	-
Painter, Glazier	229	6
Cabinet Maker	75	11
French Polisher	17	1
Furniture Broker, Dealer	14	1
Locksmith, Bellhanger	3	-
Gas Fitter	24	1
House and Shop Fittings - Maker, Dealer	6	-
Funeral Furniture Maker, Undertaker	15	1
Wood Carver	3	-
Carver, Gilder	10	-
Dealer in Works of Art	1	-
Figure, Image - Maker, Dealer	-	2
Animal, Bird &c. Preserver, Naturalist	2	4
Artificial Flower Maker	1	9
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	78	3
Coachmaker	14	2
Wheelwright	41	-
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	23	1
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	759	4
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	270	1
Shipwright, Ship Carpenter (ashore)	250	1
Mast, Yard, Oar, Block Maker	46	-
Ship Rigger, Chandler, Fitter	71	-
Sail Maker	122	2
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	85	94
Dye, Paint Manufacture	23	3
Ink, Blacking, Colour Substance Manufacture	3	1
Gunpowder, Guncotton, Explosive Substance Manufacture	1	-
Fusee, Fireworks, Explosive Article Manufacture	17	87
Chemist, Druggist	18	1
Manufacturing Chemist	23	2
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	86	66
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	66	54
Tobacco Pipe, Snuff Box &c. Maker	20	12
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	1,398	333
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	130	15
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	26	51
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	52	16
Brewer	60	-
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	66	8
Cellarman	66	27
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	28	1
Milkseller, Dairyman	74	4
Cheesemonger, Butterman	34	5
Butcher, Meat Salesman	134	9
Provision Curer, Dealer	27	17
Poulterer, Game Dealer	2	-
Fishmonger	127	16
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	30	7
Corn Miller	15	1
Baker	198	7
Confectioner, Pastrycook	97	88
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	75	24
Mustard, Vinegar, Spice, Pickle Maker, Dealer	1	16
Sugar Refiner	14	-
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	132	21
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	10	-
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	294	172
Woolstapler	3	-
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	6	4
Worsted, Stuff, Manufacture	-	8
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	3	-
Silk, Silk Goods, Manufacture	1	5
Silk Dyer, Printer	2	-
Silk Merchant, Dealer	1	-
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	-	2
Cotton, Calico - Warehouseman, Dealer	-	1
Flax, Linen - Manufacturer, Dealer	1	1
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	2	5
Tape Manufacturer, Dealer	1	-
Thread Manufacturer, Dealer	1	-
Hemp, Jute, Cocoa Fibre Manufacture	2	1
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	153	28
Mat Maker, Seller	11	1
Canvas, Sailcloth Manufacture	-	7
Sacking, Sack, Bag - Maker, Dealer	8	23
Others working and Dealing in Hemp	-	4
Weaver (undefined)	1	2
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	1	1
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	5	2
Felt Manufacture	1	-
Manchester Warehouseman	1	-
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	83	52
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	4	4
Trimming Maker, Dealer	-	15
Embroiderer	1	6
Others	2	-
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	525	1,934
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	17	4
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	-	4
Tailor	168	755
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	9	673
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	13	393
Hosiery Manufacture	1	4
Hosier, Haberdasher	13	16
Button Maker, Dealer	-	1
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	250	40
Patten, Clog Maker	1	-
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	39	2
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	14	36
Accoutrement Maker	-	1
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	-	5
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	103	63
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	4	1
Soap Boiler, Maker	11	1
Glue, Size, Gelatine, Isinglass - Maker, Dealer	-	1
Manure Manufacture	4	-
Bone, Horn, Ivory, Tortoise-shell - Worker, Dealer	1	-
Others	1	-
Furrier, Skinner	17	6
Tanner, Fellmonger	2	-
Currier	17	3
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	10	3
Hair, Bristle - Worker, Dealer	5	-
Brush, Broom, Maker	28	25
Quill, Feather - Dresser, Dealer	3	23
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	727	132
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	53	-
Oil and Colourman	50	12
Floor Cloth, Oil Cloth Manufacture	2	-
Japanner	3	-
India Rubber, Gutta Percha - Worker, Dealer	9	2
Waterproof Goods - Maker, Dealer	13	13
Others	1	-
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	16	4
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	1	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	65	10
Sawyer	93	-
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	2	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	18	5
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	308	2
Cork, Bark - Cutter, Worker, Dealer	23	4
Paper Manufacture	11	18
Envelope Maker	1	15
Stationer, Law Stationer	37	12
Paper Stainer	1	-
Paper Box, Paper Bag Maker	10	33
Ticket, Label Writer	3	2
Others	7	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	1,350	50
Coal Miner	4	-
Ironstone Miner	-	4
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	1	-
Mine Service	1	-
Coal Merchant	31	2
Coalheaver	202	1
Coke, Charcoal, Peat - Cutter, Burner, Dealer	16	-
Gas Works Service	94	1
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	15	-
Slate Worker, Dealer	1	-
Limeburner	3	-
Clay, Sand, Gravel, Chalk, Labourer, Dealer	1	1
Well Sinker, Borer	1	-
Plaster, Cement Manufacture	4	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	13	-
Paviour	9	-
Road Labourer	4	-
Railway Contractor	1	-
Platelayer	12	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	16	1
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	30	4
Glass Manufacture	21	12
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	14	2
Salt Maker, Dealer	2	-
Waterworks Service	2	-
Others	2	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	11	-
Others	24	1
[Iron Manufacture]	251	1
[Steel Manufacture]	2	-
Blacksmith	253	-
Whitesmith	2	-
Nail Manufacture	8	-
Anchor, Chain Manufacture	2	-
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	18	2
Other Iron and Steel Manufacture	3	-
[Coppersmith]	23	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	89	10
Zinc, Zinc Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	8	-
Lead, Leaden Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	29	6
Metal Refiner, Worker, Turner, Dealer	7	-
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	78	1
White Metal, Plated Ware, Manufacture. Pewterer	5	-
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	24	1
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	4	-
Lamp, Lantern, Candlestick Maker	9	-
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	2,736	421
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	153	83
Pawnbroker	36	1
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	56	21
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	50	2
Contractor (undefined)	8	-
General Labourer	2,056	12
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	166	1
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	133	26
Apprentice (undefined)	5	6
Factory Labourer (undefined)	72	59
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	1	210
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	53	13
Town Drainage Service	7	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	10	-
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	36	11
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	-	2
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	200	1,483
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	200	1,483
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	413	9,217
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	26	10
[Blank field, or illegible]	387	9,207

Notes:

The following notes to the table appeared in the original report.

1	This table is a very special case: The original Table 10 as published by Division in the 1881 census reports was limited to data for Registration Divisions, their component Registration Counties, and just those Urban Sanitary Districts with populations of over 50,000. Data presented here for counties and higher-level units are taken from the published reports, as usual, but we also include in A Vision of Britain through Time data for Registration Districts, sub-Districts and Civil Parishes which never appeared in the original reports. These were specially created for us by the History Data Service at the University of Essex and derive from the complete transcription of the individual-level Enumerators Book data coordinated by the Genealogical Society of Utah.
2	In creating these data, each occupation listed in the enumerators books has been assigned as far as possible to the relevant category used in the published reports, but some additional categories with labels in square brackets unavoidably appear. Unlike the published statistics for higher-level units, these specially-calculated data for districts and parishes include persons under 15 or over 65. For these and other reasons, no attempt has been made to ensure that county totals for the districts or parishes match the published county totals. The remaining notes are those that appeared below the original published table.
3	NOTE.--Persons returned as engaged in more than one occupation have been referred to the one that appeared to be of most importance; or if there was no difference in this respect, to the one first given by the person in his or her return. In some cases special rules have been followed: e.g. "Clergyman and Schoolmaster" in combination has always been referred to "Schoolmaster"; a Member of Parliament or Peer engaged in any branch of commerce or industry has always been referred to this latter, not to "Peer, M.P.".
4	The numbers returned under any heading include Labourers, Apprentices, and Assistants, as well as Masters, but not Clerks, Messengers, Errand boys, Porters, or Watchmen, for which occupations there are special headings. Civil, Military, and Naval Clerks, Law, Bank, Insurance, and Railway Clerks, and Government and Railway Porters, are, however, exceptions to this rule. Many young persons, being Apprentices or Assistants, have therefore been referred to occupations usually followed by adults. Women also, chiefly widows or orphans carrying on the business of their deceased husbands or fathers, will sometimes be found under occupations commonly followed by men only.
5	Persons returned as retired from any business have not been referred to that business. Inmates of workhouses have been referred to their trades, unless their age or infirmities showed that they were past work. But persons who might be supposed to be only temporarily separated from their usual employment, such as Prisoners, and Patients in General Hospitals, have been classed under their usual occupations.
6	In some cases, for convenience of space, the male designation, e.g. "Schoolmaster", alone is given, instead of "Schoolmaster, Schoolmistress".

Click on the triangles for all about a particular number.

This website does not try to provide an exact replica of the original printed census tables, which often had thousands of rows and far more columns than will fit on our web pages. Instead, we let you drill down from national totals to the most detailed data available. The column headings are those that appeared in the original printed report. The numbers presented here, which are the same ones we use to create statistical maps and graphs, come from the census table and have usually been carefully checked.

The system can only hold statistics for units listed in our administrative gazetteer, so some rows from the original table may be missing. Sometimes big low-level units, like urban parishes, were divided between more than one higher-level units, like Registration sub-Districts. This is why some pages will give a higher figure for a lower-level unit: it covers the whole of the lower-level unit, not just the part within the current higher-level unit.

Acknowledgments:

We are grateful to the following contributors. If you make use of the data in your own work, please follow any instructions given here on acknowledgment and re-use.

(1) Kevin Schurer (Department of Geography, University of Cambridge). Role: editor. Restrictions on use: the data cannot be accessed, although the Vision of Britain system may present them graphically (any other use requires the contributor's permission.)

(2) Matthew Woollard (UK Data Service, University of Essex). Role: editor. Restrictions on use: the data cannot be accessed, although the Vision of Britain system may present them graphically (any other use requires the contributor's permission.)