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 Preston RegD/PLU	Preston AP/CP

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	289	11
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	48	2
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	54	2
Prison Service, &c.	27	6
Police	122	-
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	24	-
Other Local or County Official	14	1
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	96	1
Army Officer (effective/retired)	5	-
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	20	1
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	14	-
Army Pensioner	53	-
Seaman, R.N.	1	-
Navy Pensioner	3	-
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	639	436
Clergymen (Established Church)	23	-
Roman Catholic Priest	21	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	17	1
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	5	5
Nun, Sister of Charity	-	10
Theological Student	2	-
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	22	1
Barrister, Solicitor	32	-
Law Student	1	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	89	-
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	37	-
Dentist	13	-
Medical Student, Assistant	16	-
Midwife	-	3
Subordinate Medical Service	10	60
Schoolmaster	131	267
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	7	24
School Service, and others connected with teaching	4	2
Author, Editor, Journalist	14	-
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	5	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	1	-
Civil Engineer	24	-
Mining Engineer	3	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	17	-
Painter (artist)	7	-
Engraver (artist)	1	-
Sculptor	2	-
Architect	15	-
Musician, Music Master	68	41
Art Student	4	1
Photographer	15	6
Actor	16	15
Art, Music, Theatre Service	4	-
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	3	-
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	10	-
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	130	3,486
Domestic Coachman, Groom	27	3
Domestic Gardener	16	-
Domestic Indoor Servant	32	2,984
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	3	1
Inn, Hotel Servant	37	78
College, Club Service	6	3
Office Keeper (not Government)	3	14
Cook (not domestic)	-	5
Charwoman	-	242
Washing and Bathing Service	4	151
Hospital and Institution Service	1	5
Others engaged in Service	1	-
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	802	17
Merchant	3	-
Broker, Agent, Factor	68	5
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	39	1
Accountant	23	-
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	2	1
Commercial Traveller	127	2
Commercial Clerk	445	7
Bank Service	25	-
Bill Discounter, Bill Broker, Finance Agent	2	1
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	68	-
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	1,487	3
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	177	-
Railway Guard	50	1
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	36	-
Other Railway Officials and Servants	367	-
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	13	-
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	128	-
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	389	-
Tramway Companies' Service	1	-
Inland Navigation Service	5	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	14	-
Navigation Service (on shore)	1	-
Seaman (Merchant Service)	59	-
Ship Steward, Cook	2	1
Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service	15	-
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	36	-
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	179	1
Telegraph, Telephone Service	15	-
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	302	9
Farmer, Grazier	21	3
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	3	-
Farm Bailiff	1	-
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	132	5
Shepherd	1	-
Land Drainage Service (not in towns)	4	-
Agricultural Student	1	-
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	7	-
Gardener (not domestic)	132	1
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	114	-
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	4	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	65	-
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	11	-
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	14	-
Drover	8	-
Gamekeeper	3	-
Dog, Bird, Animal - Keeper, Dealer	1	-
Vermin Destroyer	1	-
Fisherman	7	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	253	22
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	22	10
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	1	-
Bookbinder	14	8
Printer	180	-
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	17	4
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	19	-
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	1,119	25
Engine, Machine Maker	158	3
Millwright	35	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	270	1
Boiler Maker	113	-
Spinning and Weaving Machine Maker	412	16
Agricultural Machine and Implement Maker	4	-
Tool Maker, Dealer	2	-
Cutler, Scissors Maker	5	-
File Maker	11	-
Saw Maker	4	-
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	54	-
Philosophical Instrument Maker	1	1
Electrical Apparatus Maker	20	-
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	11	-
Surgical Instrument Maker	1	-
Gunsmith, Gun Manufacturer	7	-
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	10	-
Toy Maker, Dealer	-	4
Fishing Rod, Tackle, Maker, Dealer	1	-
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	2,390	37
Builder	27	-
Carpenter, Joiner	675	1
Bricklayer	307	-
Mason	264	-
Slater, Tiler	21	-
Plasterer, Whitewasher	218	-
Paperhanger	5	-
Plumber	152	-
Painter, Glazier	376	1
Cabinet Maker	196	25
French Polisher	19	2
Furniture Broker, Dealer	39	6
Locksmith, Bellhanger	5	-
Gas Fitter	14	-
House and Shop Fittings - Maker, Dealer	12	-
Funeral Furniture Maker, Undertaker	3	-
Wood Carver	3	-
Carver, Gilder	48	2
Dealer in Works of Art	5	-
Animal, Bird &c. Preserver, Naturalist	1	-
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	213	-
Coachmaker	108	-
Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker	4	-
Wheelwright	52	-
Others	7	-
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	42	-
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	51	-
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	22	-
Shipwright, Ship Carpenter (ashore)	26	-
Sail Maker	3	-
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	89	-
Fusee, Fireworks, Explosive Article Manufacture	1	-
Chemist, Druggist	79	-
Manufacturing Chemist	2	-
Drysalter	7	-
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	42	18
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	40	18
Tobacco Pipe, Snuff Box &c. Maker	2	-
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	1,982	619
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	212	48
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	4	83
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	12	5
Hop - Merchant, Dealer	1	-
Maltster	34	1
Brewer	103	1
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	121	24
Cellarman	7	-
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	19	1
Milkseller, Dairyman	14	5
Cheesemonger, Butterman	10	-
Butcher, Meat Salesman	279	29
Provision Curer, Dealer	190	172
Poulterer, Game Dealer	10	2
Fishmonger	80	5
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	39	3
Corn Miller	54	-
Baker	312	31
Confectioner, Pastrycook	65	107
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	72	31
Mustard, Vinegar, Spice, Pickle Maker, Dealer	1	-
Sugar Refiner	6	-
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	316	69
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	21	2
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	6,982	14,484
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	14	3
Worsted, Stuff, Manufacture	7	22
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	6	-
Silk, Silk Goods, Manufacture	3	4
Ribbon Manufacture	-	1
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	6,222	13,568
Cotton, Calico - Printer, Dyer, Bleacher	23	9
Cotton, Calico - Warehouseman, Dealer	46	4
Flax, Linen - Manufacturer, Dealer	11	238
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	-	2
Fustian Manufacturer, Dealer	1	-
Tape Manufacturer, Dealer	69	1
Thread Manufacturer, Dealer	-	1
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	38	1
Canvas, Sailcloth Manufacture	2	-
Weaver (undefined)	42	187
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	18	6
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	212	177
Carpet, Rug Manufacture	9	34
Manchester Warehouseman	1	-
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	228	121
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	1	36
Embroiderer	-	4
Others	29	65
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	1,059	1,359
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	26	4
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	-	2
Tailor	439	64
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	8	1,045
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	4	171
Hosiery Manufacture	-	19
Hosier, Haberdasher	22	10
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	321	31
Patten, Clog Maker	160	3
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	65	1
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	10	2
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	4	7
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	154	10
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	12	-
Soap Boiler, Maker	5	-
Glue, Size, Gelatine, Isinglass - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Manure Manufacture	1	-
Comb Maker	1	-
Furrier, Skinner	1	-
Tanner, Fellmonger	19	-
Currier	39	-
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	7	-
Brush, Broom, Maker	67	10
Quill, Feather - Dresser, Dealer	1	-
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	393	37
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	6	1
Oil and Colourman	3	3
India Rubber, Gutta Percha - Worker, Dealer	2	1
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	72	10
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	11	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	15	-
Sawyer	94	-
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	7	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	113	1
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	36	-
Cork, Bark - Cutter, Worker, Dealer	8	-
Others	2	-
Paper Manufacture	5	6
Stationer, Law Stationer	13	15
Ticket, Label Writer	1	-
Others	5	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	2,328	132
Coal Miner	27	1
Copper Miner	1	-
Mine Service	1	1
Coal Merchant	106	5
Coalheaver	48	1
Coke, Charcoal, Peat - Cutter, Burner, Dealer	3	-
Gas Works Service	94	1
Stone Quarrier	10	-
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	8	-
Slate Worker, Dealer	1	-
Limeburner	5	-
Clay, Sand, Gravel, Chalk, Labourer, Dealer	2	-
Plaster, Cement Manufacture	1	1
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	233	1
Paviour	136	1
Road Labourer	8	-
Railway Contractor	4	-
Platelayer	35	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	116	-
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	8	3
Glass Manufacture	2	1
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	33	9
Salt Maker, Dealer	5	1
Waterworks Service	2	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	11	2
Others	12	92
[Iron Manufacture]	807	4
[Steel Manufacture]	4	-
Blacksmith	271	1
Whitesmith	19	-
Nail Manufacture	16	-
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	54	1
Other Iron and Steel Manufacture	4	-
[Coppersmith]	1	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	121	2
Metal Refiner, Worker, Turner, Dealer	1	-
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	30	-
Metal Burnisher, Lacquerer	2	-
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	37	3
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	48	-
Lamp, Lantern, Candlestick Maker	-	1
Others	1	-
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	2,282	250
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	90	101
Pawnbroker	60	5
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	116	68
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	49	1
Contractor (undefined)	11	-
General Labourer	1,449	3
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	248	1
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	158	16
Apprentice (undefined)	14	-
Factory Labourer (undefined)	65	13
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	22	42
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	49	1
Town Drainage Service	17	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	10	-
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	10	-
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	12	1
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	196	1,153
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	196	1,153
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	122	7,732
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	12	10
[Blank field, or illegible]	110	7,722

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.)