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 Leicestershire RegC	Leicester RegD/PLU/PLPar

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	311	19
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	62	1
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	52	-
Prison Service, &c.	16	3
Police	125	-
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	39	15
Other Local or County Official	17	-
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	76	1
Army Officer (effective/retired)	3	1
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	25	-
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	9	-
Army Pensioner	25	-
Navy Officer (effective/retired)	1	-
Seaman, R.N.	2	-
Royal Marines (officers/men)	2	-
Navy Pensioner	9	-
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	838	920
Clergymen (Established Church)	35	1
Roman Catholic Priest	6	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	32	-
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	12	18
Nun, Sister of Charity	-	1
Theological Student	1	-
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	21	3
Barrister, Solicitor	39	-
Law Student	2	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	105	1
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	44	-
Dentist	19	-
Medical Student, Assistant	14	1
Midwife	-	13
Subordinate Medical Service	14	185
Schoolmaster	154	503
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	6	72
School Service, and others connected with teaching	12	6
Author, Editor, Journalist	15	2
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	6	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	2	-
Literary, Scientific, Institution, Service, &c.	3	1
Civil Engineer	9	-
Mining Engineer	1	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	8	-
Painter (artist)	22	5
Engraver (artist)	2	-
Sculptor	6	-
Architect	42	1
Musician, Music Master	107	73
Art Student	14	1
Photographer	25	8
Actor	20	16
Art, Music, Theatre Service	11	-
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	14	8
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	15	1
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	359	5,053
Domestic Coachman, Groom	43	-
Domestic Gardener	33	-
Domestic Indoor Servant	142	3,930
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	2	-
Inn, Hotel Servant	94	190
College, Club Service	8	3
Office Keeper (not Government)	12	9
Cook (not domestic)	3	5
Charwoman	-	374
Washing and Bathing Service	7	491
Hospital and Institution Service	9	50
Others engaged in Service	6	1
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	1,377	53
Merchant	4	-
Broker, Agent, Factor	128	1
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	42	2
Accountant	49	-
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	9	6
Commercial Traveller	266	5
Commercial Clerk	737	37
Officer of Commercial Company, Guild, Society &c.	4	-
Bank Service	71	-
Bill Discounter, Bill Broker, Finance Agent	4	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	63	2
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	1,840	191
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	94	-
Railway Guard	40	-
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	29	-
Other Railway Officials and Servants	464	3
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	27	1
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	135	2
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	366	6
Tramway Companies' Service	41	-
Inland Navigation Service	5	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	22	3
Seaman (Merchant Service)	9	-
Ship Steward, Cook	1	-
Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service	4	-
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	255	159
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	335	16
Telegraph, Telephone Service	13	1
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	550	19
Farmer, Grazier	51	7
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	11	-
Farm Bailiff	5	-
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	278	8
Shepherd	3	-
Others engaged in, or connected with agriculture	1	-
Woodman	4	-
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	22	2
Gardener (not domestic)	175	2
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	275	1
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	12	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	208	1
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	10	-
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	25	-
Drover	12	-
Gamekeeper	2	-
Dog, Bird, Animal - Keeper, Dealer	4	-
Knacker, Catsmeat Dealer &c &c.	2	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	445	72
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	60	14
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	3	8
Bookbinder	55	33
Printer	272	9
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	12	8
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	43	-
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	865	47
Engine, Machine Maker	109	1
Millwright	6	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	241	10
Boiler Maker	59	-
Spinning and Weaving Machine Maker	189	12
Agricultural Machine and Implement Maker	9	-
Tool Maker, Dealer	3	1
Cutler, Scissors Maker	22	5
Saw Maker	5	-
Needle Maker	71	11
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	79	3
Philosophical Instrument Maker	3	-
Electrical Apparatus Maker	14	1
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	6	-
Surgical Instrument Maker	1	-
Gunsmith, Gun Manufacturer	3	-
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	31	-
Die, Seal, Coin, Medal Maker	9	-
Toy Maker, Dealer	1	3
Fishing Rod, Tackle, Maker, Dealer	1	-
Apparatus for other games, Maker, Dealer	3	-
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	3,342	49
Builder	126	-
Carpenter, Joiner	906	4
Bricklayer	860	3
Mason	186	-
Slater, Tiler	47	-
Plasterer, Whitewasher	120	-
Paperhanger	4	1
Plumber	147	1
Painter, Glazier	475	3
Cabinet Maker	248	24
French Polisher	21	3
Furniture Broker, Dealer	20	6
Locksmith, Bellhanger	11	-
Gas Fitter	99	-
House and Shop Fittings - Maker, Dealer	4	-
Funeral Furniture Maker, Undertaker	3	1
Wood Carver	13	-
Carver, Gilder	28	1
Dealer in Works of Art	1	-
Figure, Image - Maker, Dealer	17	-
Animal, Bird &c. Preserver, Naturalist	6	-
Artificial Flower Maker	-	2
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	288	5
Coachmaker	125	1
Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker	9	1
Wheelwright	77	-
Bicycle, Tricycle - Maker, Dealer	5	-
Others	7	1
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	65	2
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	10	2
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	9	1
Sail Maker	1	1
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	140	4
Dye, Paint Manufacture	4	2
Ink, Blacking, Colour Substance Manufacture	3	-
Gunpowder, Guncotton, Explosive Substance Manufacture	1	-
Fusee, Fireworks, Explosive Article Manufacture	2	-
Chemist, Druggist	117	2
Manufacturing Chemist	10	-
Drysalter	3	-
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	171	392
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	169	392
Tobacco Pipe, Snuff Box &c. Maker	2	-
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	2,393	460
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	267	44
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	5	70
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	19	3
Hop - Merchant, Dealer	1	-
Maltster	35	1
Brewer	77	1
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	86	16
Cellarman	26	-
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	25	3
Milkseller, Dairyman	63	14
Cheesemonger, Butterman	5	1
Butcher, Meat Salesman	439	19
Provision Curer, Dealer	106	30
Poulterer, Game Dealer	10	2
Fishmonger	99	7
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	42	4
Corn Miller	43	-
Baker	349	17
Confectioner, Pastrycook	124	58
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	91	41
Sugar Refiner	7	-
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	449	128
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	25	1
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	1,272	2,001
Woolstapler	20	1
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	253	325
Wool, Woollen goods - Dyer, Printer	24	-
Worsted, Stuff, Manufacture	163	614
Fuller	1	-
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	14	1
Silk, Silk Goods, Manufacture	19	116
Silk Dyer, Printer	6	-
Ribbon Manufacture	2	7
Silk Merchant, Dealer	2	-
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	56	145
Cotton, Calico - Printer, Dyer, Bleacher	22	-
Cotton, Calico - Warehouseman, Dealer	2	2
Flax, Linen - Manufacturer, Dealer	5	-
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	5	20
Tape Manufacturer, Dealer	2	4
Thread Manufacturer, Dealer	1	1
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	44	8
Net Maker	-	1
Others working and Dealing in Hemp	2	1
Weaver (undefined)	57	18
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	209	14
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	37	328
Carpet, Rug Manufacture	6	1
Manchester Warehouseman	2	-
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	260	113
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	15	265
Trimming Maker, Dealer	33	4
Embroiderer	-	9
Others	10	3
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	11,940	11,078
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	119	54
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	-	15
Tailor	488	423
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	20	1,824
Shawl Manufacture	-	1
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	11	411
Hosiery Manufacture	2,445	4,356
Hosier, Haberdasher	357	259
Glover, Glove Maker	60	148
Button Maker, Dealer	4	3
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	8,326	3,563
Patten, Clog Maker	1	-
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	95	11
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	11	2
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	3	8
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	227	7
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	15	-
Soap Boiler, Maker	2	-
Glue, Size, Gelatine, Isinglass - Maker, Dealer	-	1
Bone, Horn, Ivory, Tortoise-shell - Worker, Dealer	9	-
Others	1	-
Furrier, Skinner	5	2
Tanner, Fellmonger	10	-
Currier	137	1
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	7	-
Parchment, Vellum - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Brush, Broom, Maker	39	1
Quill, Feather - Dresser, Dealer	1	2
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	1,146	429
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Japanner	-	2
India Rubber, Gutta Percha - Worker, Dealer	718	182
Waterproof Goods - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	72	14
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	13	-
Thatcher	1	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	49	1
Sawyer	80	-
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	3	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	86	8
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	22	-
Cork, Bark - Cutter, Worker, Dealer	5	-
Paper Manufacture	8	16
Stationer, Law Stationer	30	16
Paper Box, Paper Bag Maker	46	189
Ticket, Label Writer	3	1
Others	8	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	1,550	26
Coal Miner	25	-
Ironstone Miner	1	1
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	2	-
Mine Service	8	-
[Haulier] [not in Census Report but in codebook]	2	-
Coal Merchant	88	2
Coalheaver	46	-
Gas Works Service	114	1
Stone Quarrier	10	-
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	18	-
Slate Worker, Dealer	1	-
Limeburner	5	-
Clay, Sand, Gravel, Chalk, Labourer, Dealer	3	-
Well Sinker, Borer	1	-
Plaster, Cement Manufacture	1	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	127	2
Paviour	32	-
Road Contractor, Surveyor, Inspector	1	-
Road Labourer	28	1
Platelayer	22	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	95	-
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	7	1
Glass Manufacture	5	1
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	14	5
Salt Maker, Dealer	5	-
Waterworks Service	14	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	28	5
Others	1	-
[Iron Manufacture]	339	1
Blacksmith	216	-
Whitesmith	19	-
Nail Manufacture	52	3
Anchor, Chain Manufacture	1	-
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	86	-
Other Iron and Steel Manufacture	37	1
[Coppersmith]	5	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	45	-
Lead, Leaden Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	-	1
Metal Refiner, Worker, Turner, Dealer	5	-
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	31	-
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	5	1
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	2	-
Lamp, Lantern, Candlestick Maker	2	-
Others	1	-
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	2,427	1,180
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	150	177
Pawnbroker	64	2
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	127	51
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	71	20
Contractor (undefined)	6	-
General Labourer	1,198	10
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	231	2
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	378	121
Apprentice (undefined)	32	6
Factory Labourer (undefined)	142	169
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	28	622
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	62	1
Town Drainage Service	2	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	45	1
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	7	-
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	8	-
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	372	3,830
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	372	3,830
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	271	11,949
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	38	33
[Blank field, or illegible]	233	11,916

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.)