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 West Riding RegC	Huddersfield RegD/PLU

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	335	18
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	61	13
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	56	1
Prison Service, &c.	1	-
Police	143	-
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	55	3
Other Local or County Official	19	1
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	25	1
Army Officer (effective/retired)	5	-
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	9	1
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	4	-
Army Pensioner	7	-
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	976	660
Clergymen (Established Church)	53	-
Roman Catholic Priest	3	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	51	2
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	12	1
Theological Student	6	-
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	32	4
Barrister, Solicitor	58	-
Law Student	1	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	107	1
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	57	1
Dentist	23	-
Medical Student, Assistant	21	-
Midwife	-	2
Subordinate Medical Service	15	61
Schoolmaster	254	470
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	7	59
School Service, and others connected with teaching	17	4
Author, Editor, Journalist	10	-
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	4	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	6	-
Literary, Scientific, Institution, Service, &c.	2	-
Civil Engineer	17	-
Mining Engineer	2	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	32	-
Painter (artist)	14	1
Engraver (artist)	2	-
Sculptor	13	-
Architect	34	1
Musician, Music Master	66	38
Art Student	2	1
Photographer	21	3
Actor	2	-
Art, Music, Theatre Service	1	-
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	19	11
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	12	-
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	552	5,509
Domestic Coachman, Groom	201	4
Domestic Gardener	136	-
Domestic Indoor Servant	93	4,844
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	2	-
Inn, Hotel Servant	82	88
College, Club Service	15	7
Office Keeper (not Government)	4	11
Cook (not domestic)	-	3
Charwoman	3	336
Washing and Bathing Service	10	204
Hospital and Institution Service	3	11
Others engaged in Service	3	1
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	1,301	29
Merchant	19	-
Broker, Agent, Factor	73	1
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	28	-
Accountant	36	-
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	6	12
Commercial Traveller	319	3
Commercial Clerk	691	12
Bank Service	50	-
Bill Discounter, Bill Broker, Finance Agent	3	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	76	1
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	1,726	26
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	40	-
Railway Guard	15	-
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	43	-
Other Railway Officials and Servants	389	4
Toll Collector, Turnpike Gate Keeper	4	-
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	13	-
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	112	-
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	583	4
Inland Navigation Service	15	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	53	-
Navigation Service (on shore)	3	-
Seaman (Merchant Service)	18	-
Boatman on Seas	2	-
Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service	2	-
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	237	10
Meter, Weigher	2	1
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	187	3
Telegraph, Telephone Service	8	4
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	2,836	157
Farmer, Grazier	1,217	106
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	205	2
Farm Bailiff	20	-
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	1,200	46
Shepherd	5	-
Agricultural Machine - Proprietor, Attendant	-	1
Others engaged in, or connected with agriculture	1	-
Woodman	16	-
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	11	2
Gardener (not domestic)	161	-
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	153	1
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	2	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	89	-
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	20	1
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	15	-
Drover	1	-
Gamekeeper	22	-
Dog, Bird, Animal - Keeper, Dealer	2	-
Vermin Destroyer	2	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	296	58
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	19	7
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	6	1
Bookbinder	46	28
Printer	182	13
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	19	7
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	24	2
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	1,567	33
Engine, Machine Maker	204	6
Millwright	66	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	140	1
Boiler Maker	69	-
Spinning and Weaving Machine Maker	903	24
Agricultural Machine and Implement Maker	5	-
Domestic Machinery - Maker, Dealer	2	-
Tool Maker, Dealer	10	-
Cutler, Scissors Maker	3	-
Saw Maker	3	-
Pin Maker	1	-
Domestic Implement Maker	4	1
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	51	-
Philosophical Instrument Maker	1	-
Electrical Apparatus Maker	13	-
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	6	-
Surgical Instrument Maker	1	-
Gunsmith, Gun Manufacturer	4	-
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	79	1
Type Cutter, Founder	2	-
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	4,053	33
Builder	33	-
Carpenter, Joiner	1,101	1
Bricklayer	58	-
Mason	1,645	3
Slater, Tiler	35	1
Plasterer, Whitewasher	245	1
Paperhanger	3	-
Plumber	217	1
Painter, Glazier	405	2
Cabinet Maker	206	15
French Polisher	34	5
Furniture Broker, Dealer	3	3
Gas Fitter	20	1
House and Shop Fittings - Maker, Dealer	4	-
Wood Carver	18	-
Carver, Gilder	24	-
Figure, Image - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Animal, Bird &c. Preserver, Naturalist	1	-
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	239	1
Coachmaker	58	-
Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker	6	1
Wheelwright	109	-
Others	10	-
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	56	-
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	5	-
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	3	-
Shipwright, Ship Carpenter (ashore)	1	-
Sail Maker	1	-
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	274	31
Dye, Paint Manufacture	35	1
Ink, Blacking, Colour Substance Manufacture	6	-
Fusee, Fireworks, Explosive Article Manufacture	16	26
Chemist, Druggist	75	-
Manufacturing Chemist	118	4
Alkali Manufacture	1	-
Drysalter	23	-
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	67	65
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	64	65
Tobacco Pipe, Snuff Box &c. Maker	3	-
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	2,095	478
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	242	54
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	6	57
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	15	11
Maltster	37	-
Brewer	138	1
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	60	21
Cellarman	24	1
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	20	-
Milkseller, Dairyman	70	10
Cheesemonger, Butterman	3	-
Butcher, Meat Salesman	391	10
Provision Curer, Dealer	38	9
Poulterer, Game Dealer	1	-
Fishmonger	55	4
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	14	2
Corn Miller	73	-
Baker	90	41
Confectioner, Pastrycook	56	74
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	160	31
Mustard, Vinegar, Spice, Pickle Maker, Dealer	-	3
Sugar Refiner	2	1
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	568	147
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	32	1
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	16,408	13,386
Woolstapler	66	7
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	9,756	8,298
Wool, Woollen goods - Dyer, Printer	484	6
Worsted, Stuff, Manufacture	1,600	1,640
Flannel Manufacture	1	8
Blanket Manufacture	2	-
Fuller	159	2
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	484	13
Others	110	24
Silk, Silk Goods, Manufacture	91	141
Silk Dyer, Printer	48	1
Silk Merchant, Dealer	4	2
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	1,332	1,879
Cotton, Calico - Printer, Dyer, Bleacher	156	22
Cotton, Calico - Warehouseman, Dealer	53	2
Flax, Linen - Manufacturer, Dealer	3	3
Fustian Manufacturer, Dealer	2	-
Thread Manufacturer, Dealer	25	150
Hemp, Jute, Cocoa Fibre Manufacture	3	-
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	43	11
Canvas, Sailcloth Manufacture	2	-
Sacking, Sack, Bag - Maker, Dealer	-	2
Others working and Dealing in Hemp	1	-
Weaver (undefined)	653	290
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	379	9
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	578	536
Felt Manufacture	2	-
Carpet, Rug Manufacture	73	118
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	241	72
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	40	68
Trimming Maker, Dealer	1	-
Embroiderer	-	1
Others	16	81
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	1,452	2,125
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	19	6
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	1	3
Tailor	732	240
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	24	1,624
Shawl Manufacture	22	85
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	-	141
Hosiery Manufacture	12	2
Hosier, Haberdasher	16	4
Glover, Glove Maker	-	1
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	433	14
Patten, Clog Maker	109	-
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	73	2
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	9	2
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	2	1
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	198	12
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	17	1
Soap Boiler, Maker	3	1
Glue, Size, Gelatine, Isinglass - Maker, Dealer	4	-
Manure Manufacture	1	-
Bone, Horn, Ivory, Tortoise-shell - Worker, Dealer	1	-
Comb Maker	1	-
Others	1	-
Furrier, Skinner	37	5
Tanner, Fellmonger	10	-
Currier	83	-
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	10	-
Hair, Bristle - Worker, Dealer	1	1
Brush, Broom, Maker	29	3
Quill, Feather - Dresser, Dealer	-	1
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	328	47
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	18	1
Oil and Colourman	2	1
India Rubber, Gutta Percha - Worker, Dealer	9	-
Waterproof Goods - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	26	2
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	9	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	40	1
Sawyer	55	-
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	1	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	86	1
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	18	1
Cork, Bark - Cutter, Worker, Dealer	6	-
Others	1	-
Paper Manufacture	12	27
Stationer, Law Stationer	21	4
Card, Pattern Card Maker	8	2
Paper Stainer	2	-
Paper Box, Paper Bag Maker	2	2
Ticket, Label Writer	-	5
Others	11	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	4,085	39
Coal Miner	848	2
Ironstone Miner	4	-
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	10	-
Mine Service	16	1
Coal Merchant	109	3
Coalheaver	22	-
Coke, Charcoal, Peat - Cutter, Burner, Dealer	2	-
Gas Works Service	124	-
Stone Quarrier	815	3
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	184	1
Slate Worker, Dealer	2	-
Clay, Sand, Gravel, Chalk, Labourer, Dealer	17	-
Plaster, Cement Manufacture	7	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	159	1
Paviour	13	-
Road Contractor, Surveyor, Inspector	13	-
Road Labourer	97	1
Railway Contractor	4	-
Platelayer	81	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	245	1
Others	2	-
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	48	3
Glass Manufacture	3	1
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	13	9
Salt Maker, Dealer	1	-
Waterworks Service	14	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	24	1
[Iron Manufacture]	442	1
[Steel Manufacture]	7	-
Blacksmith	393	1
Whitesmith	88	-
Nail Manufacture	8	-
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	63	2
Other Iron and Steel Manufacture	1	-
[Coppersmith]	1	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	92	3
Zinc, Zinc Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	1	-
Lead, Leaden Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	6	-
Metal Refiner, Worker, Turner, Dealer	1	-
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	72	1
Metal Burnisher, Lacquerer	1	-
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	27	1
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	3	-
Others	2	3
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	3,095	551
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	124	106
Pawnbroker	14	1
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	196	96
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	85	9
Contractor (undefined)	15	-
General Labourer	1,517	7
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	575	6
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	345	78
Apprentice (undefined)	10	-
Factory Labourer (undefined)	205	203
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	9	45
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	46	1
Town Drainage Service	6	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	25	-
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	9	-
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	6	1
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	432	3,624
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	432	3,624
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	372	20,933
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	34	27
[Blank field, or illegible]	338	20,906

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.)