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".

Show Lancashire RegC table	Rochdale RegD/PLU

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	213	4
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	38	1
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	31	1
Police	93	-
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	39	2
Other Local or County Official	11	-
East Indian and Colonial Service	1	-
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	17	-
Army Officer (effective/retired)	1	-
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	6	-
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	2	-
Army Pensioner	8	-
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	613	401
Clergymen (Established Church)	27	-
Roman Catholic Priest	9	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	38	-
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	5	2
Theological Student	4	-
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	27	5
Barrister, Solicitor	30	-
Law Student	1	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	74	-
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	39	-
Dentist	20	1
Medical Student, Assistant	12	-
Midwife	-	6
Subordinate Medical Service	10	75
Schoolmaster	154	258
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	1	20
School Service, and others connected with teaching	9	1
Author, Editor, Journalist	4	1
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	4	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	1	-
Civil Engineer	14	-
Mining Engineer	5	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	19	-
Painter (artist)	7	5
Engraver (artist)	3	-
Architect	16	-
Musician, Music Master	38	18
Art Student	7	-
Photographer	13	3
Actor	4	5
Art, Music, Theatre Service	4	-
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	4	-
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	10	1
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	290	3,882
Domestic Coachman, Groom	69	-
Domestic Gardener	54	-
Domestic Indoor Servant	85	3,272
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	12	4
Inn, Hotel Servant	47	75
College, Club Service	6	1
Office Keeper (not Government)	4	6
Cook (not domestic)	2	-
Charwoman	2	298
Washing and Bathing Service	8	220
Hospital and Institution Service	-	5
Others engaged in Service	1	1
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	1,045	16
Merchant	1	-
Broker, Agent, Factor	117	5
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	22	-
Accountant	18	-
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	9	1
Commercial Traveller	139	4
Commercial Clerk	626	6
Officer of Commercial Company, Guild, Society &c.	2	-
Banker	3	-
Bank Service	38	-
Bill Discounter, Bill Broker, Finance Agent	2	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	68	-
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	1,853	20
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	18	-
Railway Guard	21	-
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	50	-
Other Railway Officials and Servants	265	-
Toll Collector, Turnpike Gate Keeper	3	1
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	23	1
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	136	1
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	900	1
Inland Navigation Service	7	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	35	1
Seaman (Merchant Service)	12	-
Ship Steward, Cook	-	3
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	265	9
Meter, Weigher	2	-
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	109	2
Telegraph, Telephone Service	7	1
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	1,025	74
Farmer, Grazier	443	19
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	68	-
Farm Bailiff	13	1
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	368	54
Shepherd	1	-
Land Drainage Service (not in towns)	1	-
Agricultural Machine - Proprietor, Attendant	1	-
Woodman	1	-
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	6	-
Gardener (not domestic)	123	-
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	110	1
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	3	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	73	1
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	25	-
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	3	-
Drover	2	-
Gamekeeper	2	-
Dog, Bird, Animal - Keeper, Dealer	1	-
Fisherman	1	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	215	30
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	28	2
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	5	-
Bookbinder	11	12
Printer	140	10
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	22	3
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	9	3
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	1,675	14
Engine, Machine Maker	356	4
Millwright	78	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	446	1
Boiler Maker	87	1
Spinning and Weaving Machine Maker	599	5
Agricultural Machine and Implement Maker	5	-
Domestic Machinery - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Tool Maker, Dealer	3	-
Cutler, Scissors Maker	3	-
File Maker	18	-
Saw Maker	4	-
Domestic Implement Maker	1	-
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	41	2
Philosophical Instrument Maker	1	1
Electrical Apparatus Maker	2	-
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	14	-
Gunsmith, Gun Manufacturer	1	-
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	10	-
Type Cutter, Founder	1	-
Die, Seal, Coin, Medal Maker	1	-
Toy Maker, Dealer	1	-
Apparatus for other games, Maker, Dealer	2	-
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	2,354	32
Builder	30	1
Carpenter, Joiner	737	2
Bricklayer	176	1
Mason	498	2
Slater, Tiler	56	-
Plasterer, Whitewasher	110	-
Paperhanger	4	-
Plumber	135	-
Painter, Glazier	366	3
Cabinet Maker	146	13
French Polisher	17	2
Furniture Broker, Dealer	18	4
Locksmith, Bellhanger	2	-
Gas Fitter	20	-
House and Shop Fittings - Maker, Dealer	3	2
Funeral Furniture Maker, Undertaker	10	-
Wood Carver	4	-
Carver, Gilder	16	-
Dealer in Works of Art	1	-
Figure, Image - Maker, Dealer	2	-
Animal, Bird &c. Preserver, Naturalist	2	-
Artificial Flower Maker	1	2
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	175	1
Coachmaker	34	-
Wheelwright	99	-
Others	7	-
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	35	1
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	4	-
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	2	-
Shipwright, Ship Carpenter (ashore)	2	-
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	111	5
Dye, Paint Manufacture	14	2
Fusee, Fireworks, Explosive Article Manufacture	2	-
Chemist, Druggist	55	1
Manufacturing Chemist	24	1
Alkali Manufacture	-	1
Drysalter	16	-
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	27	5
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	23	1
Tobacco Pipe, Snuff Box &c. Maker	4	4
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	1,647	485
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	203	53
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	2	30
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	19	10
Maltster	11	-
Brewer	41	3
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	118	27
Cellarman	7	-
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	19	1
Milkseller, Dairyman	2	2
Butcher, Meat Salesman	279	16
Provision Curer, Dealer	72	22
Poulterer, Game Dealer	5	-
Fishmonger	47	5
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	22	1
Corn Miller	125	3
Baker	85	30
Confectioner, Pastrycook	42	143
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	81	25
Mustard, Vinegar, Spice, Pickle Maker, Dealer	1	-
Sugar Refiner	2	-
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	446	112
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	18	2
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	12,947	17,830
Woolstapler	35	-
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	2,137	3,499
Wool, Woollen goods - Dyer, Printer	73	1
Worsted, Stuff, Manufacture	12	15
Flannel Manufacture	126	38
Blanket Manufacture	2	-
Fuller	727	8
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	150	3
Silk, Silk Goods, Manufacture	517	371
Silk Dyer, Printer	24	-
Ribbon Manufacture	1	-
Crepe, Gauze Manufacture	-	1
Silk Merchant, Dealer	8	-
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	7,526	12,925
Cotton, Calico - Printer, Dyer, Bleacher	193	49
Cotton, Calico - Warehouseman, Dealer	208	6
Flax, Linen - Manufacturer, Dealer	2	2
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	1	3
Fustian Manufacturer, Dealer	31	39
Tape Manufacturer, Dealer	1	3
Hemp, Jute, Cocoa Fibre Manufacture	-	3
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	47	1
Mat Maker, Seller	1	-
Sacking, Sack, Bag - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Weaver (undefined)	103	229
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	151	15
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	422	264
Felt Manufacture	2	-
Carpet, Rug Manufacture	182	180
Manchester Warehouseman	1	-
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	186	101
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	5	30
Trimming Maker, Dealer	1	-
Embroiderer	-	2
Others	71	42
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	881	1,190
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	13	4
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	-	2
Tailor	294	61
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	3	989
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	4	72
Hosiery Manufacture	6	21
Hosier, Haberdasher	8	7
Button Maker, Dealer	1	-
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	216	17
Patten, Clog Maker	280	2
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	47	3
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	4	2
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	5	10
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	257	10
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	11	-
Soap Boiler, Maker	3	-
Glue, Size, Gelatine, Isinglass - Maker, Dealer	12	-
Comb Maker	2	-
Others	5	-
Furrier, Skinner	54	2
Tanner, Fellmonger	53	-
Currier	67	2
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	23	1
Hair, Bristle - Worker, Dealer	2	-
Brush, Broom, Maker	24	4
Quill, Feather - Dresser, Dealer	1	1
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	244	39
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	17	-
Oil and Colourman	1	-
Japanner	1	-
India Rubber, Gutta Percha - Worker, Dealer	1	-
Waterproof Goods - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	25	10
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	2	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	20	-
Sawyer	56	-
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	5	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	43	-
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	17	-
Paper Manufacture	20	19
Stationer, Law Stationer	12	4
Card, Pattern Card Maker	11	1
Paper Box, Paper Bag Maker	1	4
Ticket, Label Writer	-	1
Others	11	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	4,352	30
Coal Miner	1,022	2
Ironstone Miner	1	-
Lead Miner	1	-
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	6	-
Mine Service	22	1
Coal Merchant	99	-
Coalheaver	18	-
Coke, Charcoal, Peat - Cutter, Burner, Dealer	9	-
Gas Works Service	70	-
Stone Quarrier	765	2
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	48	-
Slate Quarrier	1	-
Slate Worker, Dealer	2	-
Limeburner	2	-
Clay, Sand, Gravel, Chalk, Labourer, Dealer	6	-
Well Sinker, Borer	7	-
Plaster, Cement Manufacture	1	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	139	-
Paviour	25	-
Road Contractor, Surveyor, Inspector	1	-
Road Labourer	22	-
Railway Contractor	2	-
Platelayer	62	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	114	1
Others	3	2
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	53	1
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	11	2
Waterworks Service	13	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	12	1
[Iron Manufacture]	1,154	6
[Steel Manufacture]	1	-
Blacksmith	355	2
Whitesmith	12	-
Nail Manufacture	10	-
Anchor, Chain Manufacture	3	-
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	49	3
Other Iron and Steel Manufacture	52	-
[Coppersmith]	4	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	85	4
Metal Refiner, Worker, Turner, Dealer	3	-
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	48	2
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	12	-
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	25	1
Others	2	-
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	2,643	328
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	76	85
Pawnbroker	13	11
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	103	79
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	57	-
Contractor (undefined)	10	-
General Labourer	1,416	9
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	487	1
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	313	43
Apprentice (undefined)	15	2
Factory Labourer (undefined)	126	79
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	27	19
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	57	3
Town Drainage Service	10	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	21	-
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	18	2
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	8	1
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	220	2,946
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	220	2,946
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	337	12,020
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	44	14
[Blank field, or illegible]	293	12,006

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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".

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.)