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 Essex RegC	West Ham RegD/PLU	Leyton Stratford Walthamstow West Ham

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	853	27
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	305	22
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	129	1
Prison Service, &c.	2	-
Police	327	2
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	68	2
Other Local or County Official	19	-
East Indian and Colonial Service	3	-
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	172	15
Army Officer (effective/retired)	24	13
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	36	2
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	11	-
Army Pensioner	38	-
Navy Officer (effective/retired)	12	-
Seaman, R.N.	22	-
Royal Marines (officers/men)	1	-
Navy Pensioner	28	-
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	1,418	1,541
Clergymen (Established Church)	57	1
Roman Catholic Priest	16	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	45	-
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	23	16
Nun, Sister of Charity	-	28
Theological Student	14	-
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	26	17
Barrister, Solicitor	83	3
Law Student	8	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	208	3
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	78	2
Dentist	15	1
Medical Student, Assistant	54	1
Midwife	-	12
Subordinate Medical Service	19	391
Schoolmaster	272	656
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	26	257
School Service, and others connected with teaching	23	11
Author, Editor, Journalist	22	2
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	16	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	13	-
Literary, Scientific, Institution, Service, &c.	5	2
Civil Engineer	64	1
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	41	-
Painter (artist)	40	11
Engraver (artist)	20	1
Sculptor	3	-
Architect	73	-
Musician, Music Master	71	109
Art Student	12	7
Photographer	36	3
Actor	11	4
Art, Music, Theatre Service	6	-
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	3	1
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	15	1
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	1,073	8,625
Domestic Coachman, Groom	106	-
Domestic Gardener	199	2
Domestic Indoor Servant	265	6,912
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	20	3
Inn, Hotel Servant	370	211
College, Club Service	4	-
Office Keeper (not Government)	10	7
Cook (not domestic)	56	3
Charwoman	4	357
Washing and Bathing Service	20	1,095
Hospital and Institution Service	17	33
Others engaged in Service	2	2
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	4,550	78
Merchant	83	3
Broker, Agent, Factor	280	-
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	65	-
Accountant	147	2
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	29	9
Commercial Traveller	452	6
Commercial Clerk	3,092	53
Officer of Commercial Company, Guild, Society &c.	12	-
Banker	5	-
Bank Service	203	1
Bill Discounter, Bill Broker, Finance Agent	6	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	176	4
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	7,994	63
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	419	1
Railway Guard	170	-
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	59	-
Other Railway Officials and Servants	1,344	10
Toll Collector, Turnpike Gate Keeper	3	-
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	28	-
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	282	2
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	954	2
Tramway Companies' Service	49	-
Inland Navigation Service	7	1
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	275	-
Navigation Service (on shore)	27	-
Seaman (Merchant Service)	1,239	6
Pilot	18	-
Ship Steward, Cook	167	6
Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service	1,898	8
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	341	4
Meter, Weigher	21	-
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	644	9
Telegraph, Telephone Service	49	14
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	1,467	89
Farmer, Grazier	69	-
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	15	-
Farm Bailiff	52	1
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	551	54
Shepherd	3	-
Land Drainage Service (not in towns)	7	-
Others engaged in, or connected with agriculture	7	2
Woodman	18	4
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	101	14
Gardener (not domestic)	644	14
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	373	3
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	12	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	226	1
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	71	-
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	23	1
Drover	9	-
Gamekeeper	9	-
Dog, Bird, Animal - Keeper, Dealer	5	-
Vermin Destroyer	4	-
Fisherman	6	-
Knacker, Catsmeat Dealer &c &c.	8	1
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	680	53
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	70	4
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	4	1
Bookbinder	89	36
Printer	429	6
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	24	6
Others	2	-
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	53	-
Copper Plate and Steel Plate Printer	7	-
Map and Print - Colourer, Seller	2	-
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	2,357	33
Engine, Machine Maker	502	4
Millwright	31	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	870	2
Boiler Maker	466	-
Spinning and Weaving Machine Maker	4	-
Agricultural Machine and Implement Maker	6	-
Domestic Machinery - Maker, Dealer	2	-
Tool Maker, Dealer	17	1
Cutler, Scissors Maker	16	-
File Maker	7	1
Saw Maker	10	-
Domestic Implement Maker	3	-
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	133	5
Philosophical Instrument Maker	56	2
Electrical Apparatus Maker	97	2
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	18	-
Surgical Instrument Maker	8	4
Gunsmith, Gun Manufacturer	16	-
Sword, Bayonet - Maker, Cutler	1	-
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	47	1
Type Cutter, Founder	20	-
Die, Seal, Coin, Medal Maker	4	-
Toy Maker, Dealer	12	9
Fishing Rod, Tackle, Maker, Dealer	3	-
Apparatus for other games, Maker, Dealer	8	2
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	7,219	72
Builder	414	2
Carpenter, Joiner	2,332	11
Bricklayer	1,678	6
Mason	319	-
Slater, Tiler	39	-
Plasterer, Whitewasher	353	4
Paperhanger	46	1
Plumber	334	1
Painter, Glazier	935	6
Cabinet Maker	365	18
French Polisher	60	3
Furniture Broker, Dealer	32	2
Locksmith, Bellhanger	11	-
Gas Fitter	155	-
House and Shop Fittings - Maker, Dealer	34	1
Funeral Furniture Maker, Undertaker	23	-
Wood Carver	17	-
Carver, Gilder	43	1
Dealer in Works of Art	6	-
Figure, Image - Maker, Dealer	3	-
Animal, Bird &c. Preserver, Naturalist	8	2
Artificial Flower Maker	12	14
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	706	10
Coachmaker	229	1
Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker	209	-
Wheelwright	143	2
Bicycle, Tricycle - Maker, Dealer	3	-
Others	12	-
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	110	7
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	392	4
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	171	1
Shipwright, Ship Carpenter (ashore)	170	2
Mast, Yard, Oar, Block Maker	12	-
Ship Rigger, Chandler, Fitter	24	-
Sail Maker	15	1
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	555	66
Dye, Paint Manufacture	27	4
Ink, Blacking, Colour Substance Manufacture	13	-
Gunpowder, Guncotton, Explosive Substance Manufacture	3	1
Fusee, Fireworks, Explosive Article Manufacture	20	43
Chemist, Druggist	134	4
Manufacturing Chemist	342	14
Alkali Manufacture	7	-
Drysalter	9	-
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	111	28
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	104	24
Tobacco Pipe, Snuff Box &c. Maker	7	4
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	4,014	426
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	285	36
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	5	38
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	78	21
Hop - Merchant, Dealer	6	-
Maltster	5	-
Brewer	83	1
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	127	27
Cellarman	70	3
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	89	5
Milkseller, Dairyman	234	13
Cheesemonger, Butterman	69	2
Butcher, Meat Salesman	552	8
Provision Curer, Dealer	67	7
Poulterer, Game Dealer	15	1
Fishmonger	185	9
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	91	8
Corn Miller	16	-
Baker	551	21
Confectioner, Pastrycook	146	125
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	255	21
Mustard, Vinegar, Spice, Pickle Maker, Dealer	5	4
Sugar Refiner	489	3
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	576	73
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	15	-
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	680	1,063
Woolstapler	5	-
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	8	5
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	32	1
Others	-	1
Silk, Silk Goods, Manufacture	37	39
Silk Dyer, Printer	9	-
Ribbon Manufacture	1	-
Crepe, Gauze Manufacture	1	1
Silk Merchant, Dealer	11	-
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	31	133
Cotton, Calico - Printer, Dyer, Bleacher	3	2
Cotton, Calico - Warehouseman, Dealer	2	-
Flax, Linen - Manufacturer, Dealer	4	3
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	5	16
Thread Manufacturer, Dealer	1	-
Hemp, Jute, Cocoa Fibre Manufacture	91	376
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	13	3
Mat Maker, Seller	26	12
Net Maker	-	1
Canvas, Sailcloth Manufacture	1	2
Sacking, Sack, Bag - Maker, Dealer	9	52
Others working and Dealing in Hemp	2	-
Weaver (undefined)	6	44
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	14	5
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	2	16
Felt Manufacture	1	-
Carpet, Rug Manufacture	9	1
Manchester Warehouseman	12	-
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	320	279
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	8	23
Trimming Maker, Dealer	14	29
Embroiderer	1	19
Others	1	-
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	1,312	2,717
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	38	7
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	2	4
Tailor	356	204
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	35	1,937
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	33	432
Hosiery Manufacture	2	5
Hosier, Haberdasher	55	30
Glover, Glove Maker	6	12
Button Maker, Dealer	4	4
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	615	63
Patten, Clog Maker	6	-
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	115	1
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	41	11
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	4	7
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	533	102
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	50	3
Soap Boiler, Maker	80	2
Glue, Size, Gelatine, Isinglass - Maker, Dealer	4	-
Manure Manufacture	87	2
Bone, Horn, Ivory, Tortoise-shell - Worker, Dealer	35	7
Comb Maker	3	-
Others	1	-
Furrier, Skinner	68	23
Tanner, Fellmonger	4	-
Currier	48	3
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	43	12
Parchment, Vellum - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Hair, Bristle - Worker, Dealer	-	1
Brush, Broom, Maker	100	41
Quill, Feather - Dresser, Dealer	9	8
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	1,234	157
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	37	2
Oil and Colourman	139	10
Floor Cloth, Oil Cloth Manufacture	29	1
Japanner	2	-
India Rubber, Gutta Percha - Worker, Dealer	102	6
Waterproof Goods - Maker, Dealer	31	3
Others	20	1
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	46	9
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	8	-
Thatcher	2	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	104	3
Sawyer	161	1
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	19	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	49	25
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	243	-
Cork, Bark - Cutter, Worker, Dealer	26	-
Others	4	-
Paper Manufacture	25	10
Envelope Maker	1	7
Stationer, Law Stationer	142	29
Card, Pattern Card Maker	7	1
Paper Stainer	9	1
Paper Box, Paper Bag Maker	16	45
Ticket, Label Writer	6	3
Others	6	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	3,795	65
Coal Miner	16	-
Tin Miner	1	-
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	8	-
Mine Service	4	-
Coal Merchant	75	4
Coalheaver	460	3
Coke, Charcoal, Peat - Cutter, Burner, Dealer	11	-
Gas Works Service	511	5
Stone Quarrier	1	-
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	32	2
Slate Worker, Dealer	7	-
Limeburner	9	-
Well Sinker, Borer	3	-
Plaster, Cement Manufacture	6	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	165	5
Paviour	17	-
Road Contractor, Surveyor, Inspector	9	-
Road Labourer	21	-
Railway Contractor	31	-
Platelayer	167	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	273	1
Others	6	-
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	18	-
Glass Manufacture	52	-
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	32	11
Salt Maker, Dealer	2	-
Waterworks Service	31	-
Others	1	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	85	1
Gold, Silver, Beater	4	-
Lapidary	1	-
Others	3	1
[Iron Manufacture]	614	9
[Steel Manufacture]	7	-
Blacksmith	524	1
Whitesmith	28	1
Nail Manufacture	2	-
Anchor, Chain Manufacture	2	1
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	96	4
Other Iron and Steel Manufacture	16	-
Copper, Copper Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	3	-
[Coppersmith]	56	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	118	9
Zinc, Zinc Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	24	-
Lead, Leaden Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	18	1
Metal Refiner, Worker, Turner, Dealer	14	-
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	128	2
Metal Burnisher, Lacquerer	1	1
White Metal, Plated Ware, Manufacture. Pewterer	11	-
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	24	3
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	23	-
Lamp, Lantern, Candlestick Maker	21	-
Fancy Chain, Gilt Toy Maker	2	-
Others	1	-
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	9,855	682
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	246	185
Pawnbroker	65	1
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	124	57
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	165	12
Contractor (undefined)	42	-
General Labourer	7,612	52
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	954	1
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	389	64
Apprentice (undefined)	51	7
Factory Labourer (undefined)	174	88
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	33	215
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	60	1
Town Drainage Service	3	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	40	-
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	8	-
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	9	1
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	1,279	4,219
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	1,279	4,219
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	1,328	34,220
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	123	31
[Blank field, or illegible]	1,205	34,189

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.

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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.)

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