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 Kent RegC	Woolwich RegD/PLU

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	646	26
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	330	19
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	78	2
Prison Service, &c.	1	-
Police	197	1
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	30	4
Other Local or County Official	6	-
East Indian and Colonial Service	4	-
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	4,527	12
Army Officer (effective/retired)	530	-
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	3,732	8
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	8	-
Army Pensioner	164	2
Navy Officer (effective/retired)	35	1
Seaman, R.N.	19	-
Royal Marines (officers/men)	1	-
Navy Pensioner	38	1
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	640	689
Clergymen (Established Church)	27	-
Roman Catholic Priest	2	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	13	-
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	9	8
Nun, Sister of Charity	-	1
Theological Student	2	-
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	10	3
Barrister, Solicitor	50	-
Law Student	1	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	52	5
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	42	-
Dentist	6	-
Medical Student, Assistant	29	-
Midwife	-	20
Subordinate Medical Service	6	160
Schoolmaster	139	334
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	18	55
School Service, and others connected with teaching	10	4
Author, Editor, Journalist	15	1
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	8	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	15	-
Literary, Scientific, Institution, Service, &c.	2	-
Civil Engineer	36	-
Mining Engineer	1	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	16	-
Painter (artist)	12	8
Engraver (artist)	4	1
Architect	17	-
Musician, Music Master	54	69
Art Student	4	3
Photographer	24	8
Actor	3	4
Art, Music, Theatre Service	2	1
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	6	4
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	5	-
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	426	4,548
Domestic Coachman, Groom	79	-
Domestic Gardener	56	1
Domestic Indoor Servant	144	3,639
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	4	-
Inn, Hotel Servant	127	91
College, Club Service	1	-
Office Keeper (not Government)	1	1
Cook (not domestic)	1	7
Charwoman	-	155
Washing and Bathing Service	6	635
Hospital and Institution Service	5	17
Others engaged in Service	2	2
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	726	20
Merchant	22	-
Broker, Agent, Factor	40	1
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	15	-
Accountant	24	-
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	5	-
Commercial Traveller	53	2
Commercial Clerk	463	12
Officer of Commercial Company, Guild, Society &c.	5	-
Banker	3	-
Bank Service	54	2
Bill Discounter, Bill Broker, Finance Agent	2	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	40	3
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	1,421	13
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	44	1
Railway Guard	23	-
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	6	-
Other Railway Officials and Servants	122	-
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	9	1
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	60	-
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	167	-
Inland Navigation Service	2	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	214	-
Navigation Service (on shore)	7	-
Seaman (Merchant Service)	395	-
Pilot	2	-
Ship Steward, Cook	31	3
Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service	63	-
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	47	1
Meter, Weigher	1	1
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	189	2
Telegraph, Telephone Service	39	4
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	320	56
Farmer, Grazier	13	-
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	7	-
Farm Bailiff	6	1
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	155	36
Shepherd	2	-
[Farm Servant Indoor - prob. combined with 103]	-	1
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	22	1
Gardener (not domestic)	115	17
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	102	-
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	1	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	71	-
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	19	-
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	2	-
Dog, Bird, Animal - Keeper, Dealer	3	-
Fisherman	4	-
Knacker, Catsmeat Dealer &c &c.	2	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	128	16
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	17	1
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	2	1
Bookbinder	17	10
Printer	77	-
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	9	3
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	5	-
Map and Print - Colourer, Seller	1	1
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	1,840	37
Engine, Machine Maker	183	5
Millwright	8	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	819	2
Boiler Maker	82	-
Tool Maker, Dealer	17	1
Cutler, Scissors Maker	4	-
File Maker	1	1
Saw Maker	6	-
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	39	-
Philosophical Instrument Maker	67	-
Electrical Apparatus Maker	431	-
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	2	-
[Others]	2	-
Surgical Instrument Maker	1	1
Gunsmith, Gun Manufacturer	53	-
Ordnance Manufacturer	30	-
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	6	-
Die, Seal, Coin, Medal Maker	-	1
Toy Maker, Dealer	4	4
Apparatus for other games, Maker, Dealer	85	22
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	2,038	27
Builder	106	-
Carpenter, Joiner	719	-
Bricklayer	423	-
Mason	34	-
Slater, Tiler	3	-
Plasterer, Whitewasher	58	-
Paperhanger	11	1
Plumber	114	-
Painter, Glazier	396	2
Cabinet Maker	66	15
French Polisher	15	1
Furniture Broker, Dealer	16	-
Locksmith, Bellhanger	4	-
Gas Fitter	50	2
House and Shop Fittings - Maker, Dealer	2	-
Funeral Furniture Maker, Undertaker	10	-
Carver, Gilder	6	3
Dealer in Works of Art	1	-
Figure, Image - Maker, Dealer	3	-
Animal, Bird &c. Preserver, Naturalist	1	-
Artificial Flower Maker	-	3
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	266	1
Coachmaker	36	1
Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker	8	-
Wheelwright	128	-
Bicycle, Tricycle - Maker, Dealer	2	-
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	92	-
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	194	1
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	84	1
Shipwright, Ship Carpenter (ashore)	103	-
Mast, Yard, Oar, Block Maker	2	-
Ship Rigger, Chandler, Fitter	2	-
Sail Maker	3	-
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	1,096	7
Dye, Paint Manufacture	8	-
Ink, Blacking, Colour Substance Manufacture	2	-
Gunpowder, Guncotton, Explosive Substance Manufacture	10	-
Fusee, Fireworks, Explosive Article Manufacture	1,017	6
Chemist, Druggist	43	1
Manufacturing Chemist	16	-
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	29	8
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	20	7
Tobacco Pipe, Snuff Box &c. Maker	9	1
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	1,244	154
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	118	22
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	4	23
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	22	8
Hop - Merchant, Dealer	1	-
Maltster	1	-
Brewer	18	-
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	38	6
Cellarman	14	-
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	12	1
Milkseller, Dairyman	62	11
Cheesemonger, Butterman	25	-
Butcher, Meat Salesman	163	6
Provision Curer, Dealer	10	3
Poulterer, Game Dealer	3	1
Fishmonger	42	2
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	20	5
Corn Miller	7	-
Baker	243	12
Confectioner, Pastrycook	43	20
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	86	11
Mustard, Vinegar, Spice, Pickle Maker, Dealer	9	7
Sugar Refiner	66	-
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	233	16
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	4	-
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	151	132
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	3	2
Worsted, Stuff, Manufacture	-	1
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	2	-
Ribbon Manufacture	1	-
Silk Merchant, Dealer	3	-
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	1	1
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	-	5
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	7	-
Mat Maker, Seller	2	-
Sacking, Sack, Bag - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Others working and Dealing in Hemp	-	1
Weaver (undefined)	1	2
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	7	4
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	1	3
Manchester Warehouseman	2	-
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	118	102
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	2	7
Trimming Maker, Dealer	-	1
Embroiderer	-	3
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	655	1,569
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	16	2
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	-	5
Tailor	271	131
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	8	1,023
Shawl Manufacture	1	-
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	6	367
Hosiery Manufacture	1	1
Hosier, Haberdasher	11	9
Glover, Glove Maker	1	-
Button Maker, Dealer	-	1
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	278	14
Patten, Clog Maker	2	-
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	42	1
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	3	5
Accoutrement Maker	12	5
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	3	5
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	30	8
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	2	-
Soap Boiler, Maker	2	-
Furrier, Skinner	2	2
Tanner, Fellmonger	1	-
Currier	13	2
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	8	1
Brush, Broom, Maker	2	-
Quill, Feather - Dresser, Dealer	-	3
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	367	17
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	2	-
Oil and Colourman	49	-
India Rubber, Gutta Percha - Worker, Dealer	36	3
Waterproof Goods - Maker, Dealer	4	1
Others	2	-
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	7	1
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	7	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	40	3
Sawyer	120	-
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	1	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	41	-
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	34	-
Paper Manufacture	2	1
Stationer, Law Stationer	17	4
Card, Pattern Card Maker	-	1
Paper Box, Paper Bag Maker	1	3
Ticket, Label Writer	1	-
Others	3	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	1,825	14
Coal Miner	4	1
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	3	-
Coal Merchant	23	2
Coalheaver	40	-
Coke, Charcoal, Peat - Cutter, Burner, Dealer	3	-
Gas Works Service	92	-
Stone Quarrier	1	-
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	2	-
Limeburner	4	-
Clay, Sand, Gravel, Chalk, Labourer, Dealer	4	-
Well Sinker, Borer	1	-
Plaster, Cement Manufacture	3	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	34	-
Paviour	12	-
Road Contractor, Surveyor, Inspector	1	-
Road Labourer	7	-
Platelayer	20	1
Railway Labourer, Navvy	26	-
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	18	1
Glass Manufacture	5	-
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	8	3
Waterworks Service	5	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	19	1
Lapidary	1	-
Others	-	1
[Iron Manufacture]	562	1
[Steel Manufacture]	5	-
Blacksmith	519	1
Whitesmith	8	-
Nail Manufacture	3	-
Anchor, Chain Manufacture	5	-
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	38	-
Other Iron and Steel Manufacture	1	-
Copper, Copper Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	2	-
[Coppersmith]	10	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	82	1
Zinc, Zinc Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	12	-
Lead, Leaden Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	5	-
Metal Refiner, Worker, Turner, Dealer	97	-
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	99	1
White Metal, Plated Ware, Manufacture. Pewterer	3	-
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	32	-
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	3	-
Others	3	-
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	4,309	302
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	109	83
Pawnbroker	26	1
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	47	25
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	116	5
Contractor (undefined)	7	-
General Labourer	3,258	26
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	298	-
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	234	15
Apprentice (undefined)	51	4
Factory Labourer (undefined)	86	6
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	77	137
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	28	1
Town Drainage Service	5	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	17	-
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	4	-
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	2	1
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	715	2,806
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	715	2,806
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	326	12,002
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	27	3
[Blank field, or illegible]	299	11,999

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.)