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 Leicester RegD/PLU/PLPar	East Leicester SubD

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	191	15
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	46	-
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	33	-
Prison Service, &c.	4	-
Police	73	-
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	26	15
Other Local or County Official	9	-
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	40	1
Army Officer (effective/retired)	2	1
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	10	-
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	2	-
Army Pensioner	16	-
Seaman, R.N.	2	-
Royal Marines (officers/men)	2	-
Navy Pensioner	6	-
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	495	547
Clergymen (Established Church)	22	-
Roman Catholic Priest	2	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	20	-
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	7	10
Nun, Sister of Charity	-	1
Theological Student	1	-
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	12	1
Barrister, Solicitor	15	-
Law Student	1	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	64	1
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	21	-
Dentist	12	-
Medical Student, Assistant	6	1
Midwife	-	9
Subordinate Medical Service	8	104
Schoolmaster	90	319
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	1	23
School Service, and others connected with teaching	5	2
Author, Editor, Journalist	13	2
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	2	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	2	-
Literary, Scientific, Institution, Service, &c.	1	-
Civil Engineer	4	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	3	-
Painter (artist)	15	4
Engraver (artist)	1	-
Sculptor	2	-
Architect	18	1
Musician, Music Master	83	45
Art Student	7	-
Photographer	17	4
Actor	10	12
Art, Music, Theatre Service	5	-
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	14	7
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	11	1
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	220	2,841
Domestic Coachman, Groom	16	-
Domestic Gardener	22	-
Domestic Indoor Servant	83	2,118
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	1	-
Inn, Hotel Servant	69	117
College, Club Service	8	3
Office Keeper (not Government)	7	6
Cook (not domestic)	1	-
Charwoman	-	261
Washing and Bathing Service	2	332
Hospital and Institution Service	8	3
Others engaged in Service	3	1
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	898	36
Merchant	3	-
Broker, Agent, Factor	89	1
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	26	2
Accountant	32	-
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	6	4
Commercial Traveller	180	4
Commercial Clerk	474	24
Officer of Commercial Company, Guild, Society &c.	4	-
Bank Service	32	-
Bill Discounter, Bill Broker, Finance Agent	2	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	50	1
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	1,402	104
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	90	-
Railway Guard	36	-
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	26	-
Other Railway Officials and Servants	426	3
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	20	1
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	85	1
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	268	5
Tramway Companies' Service	23	-
Inland Navigation Service	4	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	20	3
Seaman (Merchant Service)	5	-
Ship Steward, Cook	1	-
Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service	1	-
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	146	83
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	241	7
Telegraph, Telephone Service	10	1
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	340	13
Farmer, Grazier	37	4
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	5	-
Farm Bailiff	2	-
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	174	6
Shepherd	1	-
Woodman	2	-
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	10	2
Gardener (not domestic)	109	1
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	206	1
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	11	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	157	1
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	7	-
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	16	-
Drover	10	-
Gamekeeper	1	-
Dog, Bird, Animal - Keeper, Dealer	2	-
Knacker, Catsmeat Dealer &c &c.	2	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	296	41
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	38	6
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	-	1
Bookbinder	33	24
Printer	187	5
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	6	5
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	32	-
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	584	34
Engine, Machine Maker	57	1
Millwright	5	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	156	9
Boiler Maker	43	-
Spinning and Weaving Machine Maker	129	6
Agricultural Machine and Implement Maker	8	-
Tool Maker, Dealer	3	-
Cutler, Scissors Maker	18	4
Saw Maker	5	-
Needle Maker	55	9
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	54	2
Philosophical Instrument Maker	3	-
Electrical Apparatus Maker	6	-
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	4	-
Surgical Instrument Maker	1	-
Gunsmith, Gun Manufacturer	3	-
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	25	-
Die, Seal, Coin, Medal Maker	5	-
Toy Maker, Dealer	1	3
Fishing Rod, Tackle, Maker, Dealer	1	-
Apparatus for other games, Maker, Dealer	2	-
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	2,269	29
Builder	88	-
Carpenter, Joiner	622	1
Bricklayer	580	2
Mason	135	-
Slater, Tiler	37	-
Plasterer, Whitewasher	100	-
Paperhanger	4	1
Plumber	78	1
Painter, Glazier	306	2
Cabinet Maker	168	19
French Polisher	16	2
Furniture Broker, Dealer	11	1
Locksmith, Bellhanger	5	-
Gas Fitter	71	-
House and Shop Fittings - Maker, Dealer	4	-
Funeral Furniture Maker, Undertaker	2	-
Wood Carver	12	-
Carver, Gilder	18	-
Dealer in Works of Art	1	-
Figure, Image - Maker, Dealer	8	-
Animal, Bird &c. Preserver, Naturalist	3	-
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	201	4
Coachmaker	92	-
Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker	8	1
Wheelwright	51	-
Bicycle, Tricycle - Maker, Dealer	2	-
Others	6	1
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	42	2
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	9	2
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	9	1
Sail Maker	-	1
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	82	4
Dye, Paint Manufacture	3	2
Ink, Blacking, Colour Substance Manufacture	2	-
Chemist, Druggist	70	2
Manufacturing Chemist	4	-
Drysalter	3	-
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	127	322
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	127	322
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	1,557	319
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	156	29
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	4	55
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	12	2
Hop - Merchant, Dealer	1	-
Maltster	23	-
Brewer	50	1
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	61	11
Cellarman	22	-
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	15	3
Milkseller, Dairyman	42	8
Cheesemonger, Butterman	5	-
Butcher, Meat Salesman	292	16
Provision Curer, Dealer	72	22
Poulterer, Game Dealer	7	1
Fishmonger	67	5
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	24	3
Corn Miller	12	-
Baker	244	10
Confectioner, Pastrycook	95	39
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	58	25
Sugar Refiner	7	-
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	268	88
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	20	1
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	544	985
Woolstapler	10	-
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	88	140
Wool, Woollen goods - Dyer, Printer	10	-
Worsted, Stuff, Manufacture	44	224
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	3	1
Silk, Silk Goods, Manufacture	12	53
Silk Dyer, Printer	1	-
Ribbon Manufacture	2	5
Silk Merchant, Dealer	2	-
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	24	66
Cotton, Calico - Printer, Dyer, Bleacher	13	-
Cotton, Calico - Warehouseman, Dealer	2	1
Flax, Linen - Manufacturer, Dealer	1	-
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	3	13
Thread Manufacturer, Dealer	1	1
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	38	2
Net Maker	-	1
Others working and Dealing in Hemp	2	-
Weaver (undefined)	37	14
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	81	5
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	17	204
Carpet, Rug Manufacture	1	-
Manchester Warehouseman	1	-
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	119	61
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	11	187
Trimming Maker, Dealer	15	2
Embroiderer	-	5
Others	6	-
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	7,736	7,527
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	53	19
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	-	12
Tailor	355	350
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	7	1,191
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	6	278
Hosiery Manufacture	1,635	3,006
Hosier, Haberdasher	212	142
Glover, Glove Maker	49	126
Button Maker, Dealer	4	3
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	5,341	2,392
Patten, Clog Maker	1	-
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	64	3
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	7	1
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	2	4
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	155	4
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	14	-
Glue, Size, Gelatine, Isinglass - Maker, Dealer	-	1
Bone, Horn, Ivory, Tortoise-shell - Worker, Dealer	9	-
Furrier, Skinner	4	1
Tanner, Fellmonger	9	-
Currier	88	-
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	1	-
Parchment, Vellum - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Brush, Broom, Maker	28	1
Quill, Feather - Dresser, Dealer	1	1
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	651	248
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Japanner	-	2
India Rubber, Gutta Percha - Worker, Dealer	363	103
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	38	9
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	12	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	38	1
Sawyer	58	-
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	3	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	73	6
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	15	-
Cork, Bark - Cutter, Worker, Dealer	4	-
Paper Manufacture	3	14
Stationer, Law Stationer	18	7
Paper Box, Paper Bag Maker	16	106
Ticket, Label Writer	3	-
Others	6	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	1,010	17
Coal Miner	9	-
Ironstone Miner	1	-
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	2	-
Mine Service	5	-
[Haulier] [not in Census Report but in codebook]	2	-
Coal Merchant	55	2
Coalheaver	27	-
Gas Works Service	82	1
Stone Quarrier	4	-
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	15	-
Limeburner	2	-
Clay, Sand, Gravel, Chalk, Labourer, Dealer	2	-
Well Sinker, Borer	1	-
Plaster, Cement Manufacture	1	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	91	1
Paviour	27	-
Road Contractor, Surveyor, Inspector	1	-
Road Labourer	19	1
Platelayer	18	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	80	-
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	5	1
Glass Manufacture	4	1
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	13	4
Salt Maker, Dealer	5	-
Waterworks Service	8	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	18	-
Others	1	-
[Iron Manufacture]	204	1
Blacksmith	133	-
Whitesmith	14	-
Nail Manufacture	29	3
Anchor, Chain Manufacture	1	-
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	52	-
Other Iron and Steel Manufacture	17	-
[Coppersmith]	3	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	32	-
Lead, Leaden Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	-	1
Metal Refiner, Worker, Turner, Dealer	1	-
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	20	-
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	3	1
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	1	-
Lamp, Lantern, Candlestick Maker	1	-
Others	1	-
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	1,635	659
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	106	117
Pawnbroker	42	1
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	101	47
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	37	12
Contractor (undefined)	5	-
General Labourer	868	8
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	148	1
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	227	63
Apprentice (undefined)	21	4
Factory Labourer (undefined)	72	53
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	8	353
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	42	1
Town Drainage Service	1	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	29	1
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	5	-
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	7	-
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	220	2,641
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	220	2,641
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	171	7,536
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	24	22
[Blank field, or illegible]	147	7,514

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.)