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	Brentford RegD/PLU

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	612	28
Peer, M.P., Privy Councillor (not otherwise described)	2	-
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	193	25
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	93	2
Prison Service, &c.	3	-
Police	267	1
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	29	-
Other Local or County Official	12	-
East Indian and Colonial Service	13	-
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	1,187	88
Army Officer (effective/retired)	146	34
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	831	52
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	139	-
Army Pensioner	37	2
Navy Officer (effective/retired)	21	-
Seaman, R.N.	6	-
Navy Pensioner	7	-
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	1,268	1,284
Clergymen (Established Church)	63	1
Roman Catholic Priest	6	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	18	-
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	12	1
Nun, Sister of Charity	-	27
Theological Student	5	-
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	17	6
Barrister, Solicitor	164	2
Law Student	13	1
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	78	-
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	78	1
Dentist	12	-
Medical Student, Assistant	41	-
Midwife	-	2
Subordinate Medical Service	6	326
Schoolmaster	186	407
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	44	313
School Service, and others connected with teaching	8	15
Author, Editor, Journalist	33	6
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	14	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	12	-
Literary, Scientific, Institution, Service, &c.	5	2
Civil Engineer	78	2
Mining Engineer	3	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	31	1
Painter (artist)	71	33
Engraver (artist)	10	-
Sculptor	10	-
Architect	77	-
Musician, Music Master	67	79
Art Student	28	13
Photographer	59	39
Actor	4	3
Art, Music, Theatre Service	3	-
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	2	2
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	10	2
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	1,175	9,753
Domestic Coachman, Groom	148	-
Domestic Gardener	282	9
Domestic Indoor Servant	329	7,160
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	9	2
Inn, Hotel Servant	157	75
College, Club Service	5	-
Office Keeper (not Government)	4	6
Cook (not domestic)	2	7
Charwoman	1	279
Washing and Bathing Service	178	2,149
Hospital and Institution Service	58	66
Others engaged in Service	2	-
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	1,604	53
Merchant	73	-
Broker, Agent, Factor	147	2
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	67	-
Accountant	85	-
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	18	4
Commercial Traveller	145	1
Commercial Clerk	853	43
Officer of Commercial Company, Guild, Society &c.	9	-
Banker	4	-
Bank Service	124	1
Bill Discounter, Bill Broker, Finance Agent	3	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	76	2
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	2,401	45
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	81	-
Railway Guard	50	-
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	23	-
Other Railway Officials and Servants	606	13
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	30	-
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	301	2
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	605	8
Tramway Companies' Service	1	-
Wheel Chair Proprietor, Attendant &c.	2	-
Inland Navigation Service	15	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	311	10
Navigation Service (on shore)	8	-
Seaman (Merchant Service)	49	-
Pilot	1	-
Ship Steward, Cook	2	2
Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service	37	-
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	48	1
Meter, Weigher	2	-
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	218	3
Telegraph, Telephone Service	11	6
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	2,130	307
Farmer, Grazier	62	4
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	20	-
Farm Bailiff	17	-
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	676	40
Shepherd	2	-
Others engaged in, or connected with agriculture	7	-
Woodman	12	1
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	119	6
Gardener (not domestic)	1,215	256
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	270	7
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	10	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	153	6
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	50	-
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	14	1
Drover	9	-
Gamekeeper	2	-
Dog, Bird, Animal - Keeper, Dealer	2	-
Vermin Destroyer	1	-
Fisherman	26	-
Knacker, Catsmeat Dealer &c &c.	3	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	182	25
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	37	5
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	4	-
Bookbinder	8	5
Printer	108	11
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	19	3
Others	1	-
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	3	1
Copper Plate and Steel Plate Printer	1	-
Map and Print - Colourer, Seller	1	-
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	385	6
Engine, Machine Maker	56	-
Millwright	6	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	92	-
Boiler Maker	59	1
Agricultural Machine and Implement Maker	2	-
Tool Maker, Dealer	2	-
Cutler, Scissors Maker	6	-
Domestic Implement Maker	2	-
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	64	-
Philosophical Instrument Maker	8	1
Electrical Apparatus Maker	10	-
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	5	-
Gunsmith, Gun Manufacturer	12	1
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	51	2
Die, Seal, Coin, Medal Maker	1	-
Toy Maker, Dealer	3	1
Fishing Rod, Tackle, Maker, Dealer	1	-
Apparatus for other games, Maker, Dealer	5	-
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	3,827	38
Builder	266	2
Carpenter, Joiner	1,119	1
Bricklayer	992	5
Mason	131	-
Slater, Tiler	30	-
Plasterer, Whitewasher	249	2
Paperhanger	29	1
Plumber	178	1
Painter, Glazier	573	5
Cabinet Maker	95	16
French Polisher	20	-
Furniture Broker, Dealer	18	2
Locksmith, Bellhanger	7	-
Gas Fitter	80	-
House and Shop Fittings - Maker, Dealer	7	-
Funeral Furniture Maker, Undertaker	2	-
Wood Carver	1	-
Carver, Gilder	9	-
Dealer in Works of Art	17	1
Figure, Image - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Animal, Bird &c. Preserver, Naturalist	2	-
Artificial Flower Maker	1	2
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	249	3
Coachmaker	83	1
Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker	14	-
Wheelwright	92	1
Bicycle, Tricycle - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Others	1	-
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	58	1
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	121	1
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	109	1
Shipwright, Ship Carpenter (ashore)	5	-
Sail Maker	7	-
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	106	14
Dye, Paint Manufacture	5	-
Ink, Blacking, Colour Substance Manufacture	2	-
Gunpowder, Guncotton, Explosive Substance Manufacture	25	7
Chemist, Druggist	58	1
Manufacturing Chemist	15	6
Alkali Manufacture	1	-
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	29	17
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	29	17
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	2,129	247
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	224	24
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	7	30
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	24	10
Hop - Merchant, Dealer	1	-
Maltster	23	-
Brewer	162	2
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	80	16
Cellarman	8	1
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	69	6
Milkseller, Dairyman	130	7
Cheesemonger, Butterman	23	4
Butcher, Meat Salesman	279	7
Provision Curer, Dealer	30	2
Poulterer, Game Dealer	5	1
Fishmonger	82	8
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	38	3
Corn Miller	9	-
Baker	330	29
Confectioner, Pastrycook	47	19
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	141	28
Mustard, Vinegar, Spice, Pickle Maker, Dealer	1	-
Sugar Refiner	6	-
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	398	49
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	12	1
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	290	162
Woolstapler	2	-
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	4	1
Worsted, Stuff, Manufacture	-	1
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	7	-
Silk, Silk Goods, Manufacture	1	-
Silk Merchant, Dealer	15	-
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	1	-
Cotton, Calico - Printer, Dyer, Bleacher	3	-
Cotton, Calico - Warehouseman, Dealer	1	-
Flax, Linen - Manufacturer, Dealer	3	-
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	8	3
Hemp, Jute, Cocoa Fibre Manufacture	1	-
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Mat Maker, Seller	3	1
Others working and Dealing in Hemp	1	-
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	38	5
Carpet, Rug Manufacture	6	-
Manchester Warehouseman	2	-
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	184	134
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	5	10
Trimming Maker, Dealer	3	-
Embroiderer	1	7
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	655	1,253
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	15	-
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	-	2
Tailor	225	43
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	8	1,052
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	-	125
Hosiery Manufacture	1	-
Hosier, Haberdasher	14	3
Glover, Glove Maker	3	1
Button Maker, Dealer	2	-
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	322	17
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	54	2
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	7	3
Accoutrement Maker	3	-
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	1	5
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	116	24
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	4	-
Soap Boiler, Maker	55	16
Glue, Size, Gelatine, Isinglass - Maker, Dealer	2	-
Manure Manufacture	3	-
Bone, Horn, Ivory, Tortoise-shell - Worker, Dealer	2	3
Comb Maker	-	1
Others	1	-
Furrier, Skinner	2	2
Tanner, Fellmonger	3	1
Currier	21	1
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	4	-
Parchment, Vellum - Maker, Dealer	16	-
Brush, Broom, Maker	2	-
Quill, Feather - Dresser, Dealer	1	-
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	404	103
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	20	2
Oil and Colourman	48	1
Floor Cloth, Oil Cloth Manufacture	1	-
Japanner	5	-
Waterproof Goods - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	41	63
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	13	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	31	-
Sawyer	52	1
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	23	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	14	-
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	66	4
Others	2	-
Paper Manufacture	15	2
Stationer, Law Stationer	41	22
Card, Pattern Card Maker	1	-
Paper Stainer	24	-
Paper Box, Paper Bag Maker	2	8
Others	4	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	1,177	25
Coal Miner	1	-
Lead Miner	1	-
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	2	-
Mine Service	7	-
Coal Merchant	46	3
Coalheaver	46	-
Coke, Charcoal, Peat - Cutter, Burner, Dealer	2	-
Gas Works Service	109	-
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	5	-
Slate Worker, Dealer	2	-
Limeburner	3	-
Clay, Sand, Gravel, Chalk, Labourer, Dealer	5	-
Plaster, Cement Manufacture	4	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	183	5
Paviour	3	-
Road Contractor, Surveyor, Inspector	3	-
Road Labourer	16	-
Railway Contractor	3	-
Platelayer	102	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	70	-
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	22	-
Glass Manufacture	9	1
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	20	4
Waterworks Service	30	-
Others	1	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	57	3
Lapidary	1	-
Others	1	-
[Iron Manufacture]	29	-
Blacksmith	216	5
Whitesmith	36	-
Anchor, Chain Manufacture	1	-
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	59	4
[Coppersmith]	7	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	33	-
Zinc, Zinc Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	7	-
Lead, Leaden Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	4	-
Metal Refiner, Worker, Turner, Dealer	6	-
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	14	-
White Metal, Plated Ware, Manufacture. Pewterer	6	-
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	3	-
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	1	-
Others	1	-
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	3,645	266
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	139	82
Pawnbroker	33	-
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	99	37
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	29	8
Contractor (undefined)	10	1
General Labourer	3,010	55
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	133	-
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	137	35
Apprentice (undefined)	18	5
Factory Labourer (undefined)	35	15
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	2	28
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	44	1
Town Drainage Service	2	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	32	-
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	5	-
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	5	1
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	929	3,329
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	929	3,329
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	595	14,607
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	16	6
[Blank field, or illegible]	579	14,601

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.)