Vision of Britain | 1861 Census: Ages

1861 Census of England and Wales, Ages (Sample Report Title: Population Tables. Ages, Civil Condition, Occupations and Birth-places of the People: with the Ages and Occupations of the Blind, of the Deaf-and-dumb, and of the inmates of certain public institutions Part I), Table 17 : " Occupations of Males aged 20 Years and upwards in Districts".

List Middlesex RegC	Bethnal Green RegD/PLPar

OCCUPATIONS	[Males] [1]
Total of Males	26,127
1. Persons engaged in the General or Local Government of the Country	302
(1) Officers of National Government	212
Civ. Serv. not in Rev. Dep.	25
Post Office	83
Inland Revenue	16
Customs	59
Government Messengers, Workmen	29
Dockyard Artificers	0
Other Govt.	0
(2) Officers of Local Government	65
Magistrate	1
Police	42
Prison Officer	1
Union and Parish Officer	19
Officer of Local Board	0
Other Local Officers	2
(3) Officers of East India and Colonial Government	25
E. India and Col. Service	25
2. Persons engaged in the Defence of the Country	78
(1) Army	63
Army Officer	0
Army Half-pay Officer	3
Soldier	9
Chelsea Pensioner	29
Militia	22
Others	0
(2) Navy	15
Navy Officer	0
Navy Half-pay Officer	1
Seaman, R.N.	5
Royal Marine	0
Greenwich Pensioner	9
Others	0
3. Persons engaged in the Learned Professions or engaged in Literature, Art, and Science (with their immediate Subordinates)	479
(1) Clergymen, Ministers, and Church Officers	79
Clergyman	21
Protestant Minister	11
Roman Catholic Priest	1
Other Relig. Teachers	33
Parish Clerk	1
Other Church Officers	12
(2) Lawyers, Law Court Officers, and Law Stationers	91
Barrister	1
Solicitor	13
Law Student	0
Other Lawyers	0
Officers of Law Court	4
Law Clerk	70
Law Stationer	3
(3) Physicians, Surgeons, and Druggists	82
Physician	3
Surgeon, Apothecary	21
Medical Student, Assist.	8
Dentist	3
Druggist	42
Others	5
(4) Authors and Literary Persons	13
Author, Editor, Writer	12
Ors. eng. in Literature	1
(5) Artists	69
Artist, Painter	20
Sculptor	1
Engraver	31
Photographic Artist	17
Ors. Eng. in the Fine Arts	0
(6) Musicians, Teachers of Music	65
Musician	51
Music-master	14
Others	0
(7) Actors, Actresses	11
Actor	7
In Theatres, Exhibitions	4
(8) Teachers	56
Schoolmaster	42
Teacher of Languages	6
Profes. of Mathematics	1
Teacher (General)	2
Teacher of Dancing	3
Other Teachers	2
(9) Scientific Persons	13
Civil Engineer	6
Other Scientific Persons	7
4. Persons engaged in the Domestic Officers or Duties of Wives, Mothers, Mistresses of Families, Children, Relatives (not otherwise returned)	62
(3) Children and Relatives at home (not otherwise described)	57
Son, Grandson, Brother, Neph. (not oth. Des.)	57
(4) Scholars (so described)	5
Scholar (so described)	5
5. Persons engaged in entertaining, and performing Personal Offices for Man	511
(1) In Board and Lodging	303
Innkeeper, Hotelkeeper	0
Publican	147
Beerseller	80
Lodg., Boardg.-house K.	2
Coffee-house Keeper	46
Cook (not Domst. Serv.)	21
Others--Boarding, &c.	7
(2) Attendance (Domestic Servants, &c.)	208
Domst. Serv. (General)	41
Coachman	5
Groom	6
Gardener	0
Inn Servant	133
Hosp. Attent., Nurse, &c.	17
Others	6
6. Persons who buy or sell, keep, or lend Money, Houses or Goods of various Kinds	1,246
(1) Mercantile Men [Women]	555
Merchant	14
Banker	1
Insur., Ben. Soci. Offr.	13
Stock Broker, &c.	4
Ship Broker, Agent	4
Broker	16
Agent, Factor	38
Coal, Colliery Agent	2
Iron Merchant, Agent	0
Salesman	1
Auctioneer, Apprsr., Val.	11
Accountant	21
Commercial Clerk	295
Commercial Traveller	135
Other Mercantile Men	0
(2) Other General Dealers	691
Pawnbroker	31
Marine-store Dealer	27
Ge. Dlr., Costermonger	342
Shopkeeper	34
Hawker, Pedlar	257
Other General Dealers	0
7. Persons engaged in the Conveyance of Men, Animals, Goods, and Messages	2,869
(1) Carriers on Railways	321
Rail. Engine Driver, &c.	55
Railway Official	73
Railway Servant	186
Railway Police	7
Ors. eng. in	0
(2) Carriers on Roads	822
Toll Collector	10
Coach, Omn., Cab, Ownr.	17
Livery Staple Keeper	2
Coachman (not domstc.)	62
Cabman, Flyman	145
Carm., Carr., Carter, Dray.	585
Others	1
(3) Carriers on Canals and Rivers	35
Canal and River Service	3
Bargeman, Waterman	32
Others	0
(4) Carriers on Seas and Rivers	760
Shipowner	0
Seaman (Mercht. Serv.)	108
Pilot	2
Boatman on Seas	0
Dock Servant, Labourer	621
Wharfinger	19
Others	10
(5) Engaged in Storage	326
Warehsmn. (not Manch.)	263
Others in Storage	63
(6) Messengers and Porters	605
Messr., Port., Ernd. Boy	597
Telegraph Service	8
Others in Messages	0
8. Persons possessing or working the Land, and engaged in growing Grain, Fruits, Grasses, Animals, and other Products	66
(1) In Fields and Pastures (Agriculturists)	27
Land Proprietor	6
Farmer, Grazier	4
Farmer's "Son", "Brother", "Grandson"	0
Farm Bailiff	0
Agricultural Labourer	12
Shepherd (out-door)	0
Farm Servant (in-door)	0
Land Surv., Estate Agt.	5
Others in Agriculture	0
(2) In Woods (Arboriculturists)	0
Woodman	0
Others in Arboriculture	0
(3) In Gardens (Horticulturists)	39
Gardener	37
Nurseryman	2
Others in Horticulture	0
9. Persons engaged about Animals	202
(1) Persons engaged about Animals	202
Horse Dealer	8
Horsebreaker	2
Horsekpr., Grm., Jockey	93
Farrier, Veterinary Sur.	40
Cattle, Sheep,--Dealer	8
Drover	32
Pig Merchant, Dealer	4
Gamekeeper	0
Vermin Destroyer	2
Fisherman	0
Others about Animals	13
10. Persons engaged in Art and Mechanic Productions, in which Matters of various kinds are employed in combination	5,767
(1) In Books	424
Bookseller, Publisher	37
Bookbinder	84
Printer	285
Newspaper Agent	16
Others in Publications	2
(2) In Musical Instrument	81
Musical Instr. Mak., Dlr.	73
Others	8
(3) In Prints and Pictures	72
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	52
Others	20
(4) In Carving and Figures	103
Wood-carver	90
Others	13
(5) in Tackle for Sport and Games	135
Toy Maker, Dealer	114
Bow, Bat, Tackle,--Mak.	21
(6) In Designs, Medals, and Dies	30
Pattern Designer	13
Others	17
(7) In Watches and Philosophical Instruments	185
Watchmkr., Clockmkr.	76
Optician	25
Weight or Measure Mkr.	57
Others	27
(8) In Surgical Instruments	4
Surgical Instrmt. Maker	4
Others	0
(9) In Arms	66
Gunsmith, Gun Manuf.	65
Others	1
(10) In Machines	265
Eng. and Mach. Maker	169
Spindle-maker	0
Needle manufacture	0
Scissors-maker	0
Tool Maker, Dealer	14
File-maker	6
Saw Smith, Maker	13
Cutler	23
Blade Maker, Forger	1
Knife-maker	2
Razor-maker	0
Others in Tools, Mchns.	37
(11) In Carriages	76
Coachmaker	76
Others	0
(12) In Harness	66
Saddler, Harness-maker	50
Whip-maker	16
(13) In Ships	46
Shipbldr., Shipwright	21
Block, Oar, Mast,--Mak.	3
Boat, Barge,--Builder	16
Sailmaker	3
Others	3
(14) In Houses and Buildings	2,055
House Proprietor	49
House Agent	35
Architect	5
Surveyor	7
Builder	58
Carpenter, Joiner	667
Bricklayer	489
Marble Mason	22
Mason, Pavior	87
Slater, Tiler	7
Plasterer	103
Paperhanger	37
Plumber, Painter, Glazr.	473
Others	16
(15) In Furniture	1,930
Cabinet Maker, Uphol.	1,055
Undertaker	44
Chair-maker	381
Picture-frame Maker	45
Carver, Gilder	218
Bedstead, Mattress,--Mak.	86
Furniture Broker	35
Others	66
(16) In Implements	79
Wheelwright	65
Millwright	14
Other Implement Mkrs.	0
(17) In Chemicals	150
Manuf. Chemist, Laborer	39
Dye, Colour,--manuf.	4
Dyer, Calenderer	77
Others	30
11. Persons working and Dealing in the Textile Fabrics and in Dress	7,013
(1) In Wool and Worsted	163
Woolstapler	0
Felt manufacture	2
Woollen Cloth manuf.	20
Clothier	0
Fuller	0
Wool, Woollen,--Dyer	4
Worsted manufacture	21
Stuff manufacture	0
Flannel manufacture	0
Blanket manufacture	0
Carpet, Rug,--manuf.	115
Others	1
(2) In Silk	3,393
Silk manufacture	3,254
Silk Dyer, Printer	108
Silk Mercer	4
Ribbon manufacture	4
Others	23
(3) In Cotton and Flax	43
Flax, Linen,--manuf.	1
Thread manufacture	0
Lace manufacture	8
Cotton manufacture	16
Fustian manufacture	0
Muslin manufacture	0
Calico, Cotton,--Printer	9
Calico, Cotton,--Dyer	2
Others	7
(4) In Mixed Materials (1, 2, 3.)	370
Packer and Presser	14
Weaver (undefined)	82
Manchester Warehmn.	13
Draper, Mercer	105
Others	156
(5) In Dress	2,838
Hairdresser, Wig-maker	87
Hatter, Hat manuf.	91
Straw Plait manuf.	1
Straw Hat, Bonnet Mak.	19
Shawl manufacture	0
Furrier	17
Tailor	334
Clothes Dealer, Outfitr.	63
Button-maker	4
Hose manufacture	0
Hosier, Haberdasher	31
Glover, Leather, &c.	1
Shoemaker, Bootmaker	2,027
Patten, Clog,--Maker	7
Umbrella, Stick,--Mak.	110
Others providing Dress	46
(6) In Hemp and other Fibrous Materials	206
Mat Maker, Seller	40
Rope, Cord,--Maker	115
Canvas Maker, Dealer	1
Sailcloth manufacture	1
Others	49
12. Persons working and dealing in Food and Drinks	2,213
(1) In Animal Food	789
Cowkeeper, Milkseller	109
Cheesemonger	47
Butcher, Meat Salesman	367
Provision Curer, Dealer	30
Poulterer, Game Dealer	47
Fishmonger	184
Others	5
(2) In Vegetable Food	718
Corn Merchant, Dealer	50
Miller	13
Flour Dealer, Agent	3
Baker	399
Confectioner, Pastry Ck.	91
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	125
Fruit, Flower,--Vendor	9
Potato Merchant	9
Seed Mercht., Seedsman	5
Sugar Refiner	9
Others	5
(3) In Drinks and Stimulants	706
Maltster	9
Brewer, &c.	169
Wine and Spirit Mercht.	37
Distiller, Rectifier	8
Cellarman	33
Ginger Br., Sod. Wat. Ma.	16
Grocer, Tea Dealer	167
Tobo., Cig., Snuff, manuf.	207
Tobacconist	45
Others	15
13. Persons working and dealing in Animal Substances	592
(1) In Grease, Gut, Bones, Horn, Ivory, and Whalebone	254
Soap-boiler	17
Tallow-chandler	89
Comb-maker	36
Others	112
(2) In Skins, Feathers, and Quills	142
Fellmonger	2
Skinner	11
Tanner	3
Currier	67
Others	59
(3) In Hair	196
Hair, Bristle,--manuf.	62
Brush, Broom,--Maker	134
Others	0
14. Persons working and dealing in Vegetable Substances	1,638
(1) In Gums and Resins	239
Oil Miller, Refiner	6
Oil and Colourman	72
French-polisher	104
Japanner	36
Others	21
(2) In Wood	1,018
Timber Merch., Dealer	48
Wood Dealer	80
Sawyer	173
Fence, Hurdle,--Maker	1
Lath-maker	18
Turner	216
Box-maker	139
Cooper	277
Hoop Maker, Bender	4
Others	62
(3) In Bark	70
Cork Cutter, manuf.	67
Others Workers in Bark	3
(4) In Cane, Rush, and Straw	111
Basket-maker	65
Hay and Straw Dealer	1
Thatcher	2
Others	43
(5) In Paper	200
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	15
Paper manufacture	23
Stationer (not Law)	76
Paper-stainer	55
Others Workers in Paper	31
15. Persons working and dealing in Minerals	1,379
(1) In Mining	2
Coal-miner	0
Copper-miner	0
Tin-miner	0
Lead-miner	0
Iron-miner	0
Others	2
(2) In Coal	196
Coal Merchant, Dealer	52
Coalheaver, Labourer	44
Coke Burner, Dealer	7
Chimney Sweeper	16
Gas Works Service	75
Other Workers in Coal	2
(3) In Stone, Clay	94
Stone Quarrier	1
Stone Cutter, Polisher	4
Slate Quarrier	1
Limestone Quar., Burner	0
Clay Labourer	2
Brick Maker, Dealer	20
Railway Labourer	4
Platelayer	2
Excavator, Navvy	20
Road Contractor, &c.	8
Road Labourer	6
Scavenger	15
Dust Collector	7
Others	4
(4) In Earthenware	63
Earthenware manuf.	5
Tobacco-pipe Makers	46
Earthenw., Glass, Dealer	12
Others	0
(5) In Glass	82
Glass manufacture	80
Other Workers in Glass	2
(6) In Salt	2
Salt manufacture	2
Other Dealers in Salt	0
(7) In Water	9
Waterworks Service	9
Others	0
(8) In Gold, Silver, and Precious Stones	108
Goldsmith, Jeweller	77
Plater, Plated Wareman	3
Others	28
(9) In Copper	18
Copper manufacture	1
Coppersmith	16
Others	1
(10) In Tin and Quicksilver	150
Tin manufacture	2
Tinman, Tinker	26
Tinplate Worker	121
Others	1
(11) In Zinc	14
Zinc manufacture	14
Others	0
(12) In Lead and Antimony	67
Lead manufacture	4
Typefounder	47
Others	16
(13) In Brass and other mixed Metals	199
Brass Founder, manuf.	90
Brazier	13
Locksmith, Bellhanger	13
Gasfitter	45
Wire Maker, Drawer	9
Wire Worker, Weaver	20
Others	9
(14) In Iron and Steel	375
Iron manufacture	54
Whitesmith	41
Blacksmith	205
Nail manufacture	0
Anchor, Chain,--Smith	0
Boiler-maker	5
Ironmonger	30
Hardwareman, Dealer	2
Steel manufacture	0
Grinder (branch undef.)	2
Others	36
16. Labourers and others - Branch of Labour undefined	1,274
(1) General Labourers	1,220
Labourer	1,220
(2) Other Persons of indefinite Occupations	54
Mechanic	9
Shopman	21
Apprentice	1
Others of indef. occu.	23
17. Persons of Rank or Property, not returned under any Office or Occupation	75
(1) Persons of Rank or property, not returned under any Office or Occupation	75
Gentleman	45
Annuitant	30
18. Persons supported by the Community and of no specified Occupation	39
(1) On Income from voluntary Sources and Rates	39
Dependent on Relatives	5
Almserperson, no stat. occ.	5
Pauper, no stated occ.	3
Lunatic, no stated occ.	22
Others	4
(2) Prisoners and others of Criminal Class	0
Prisoner, no stated occ.	0
(3) Vagrants and Gipsies	0
Vagrant, Beggar	0
Gipsy	0
19. Persons of no stated Rank, Profession, or Occupation	322
Visitor, no stated occ.	3
Others of no stated occupation or condition	319

Comments:

1	Note that the original table is organised into the Orders and sub-Orders listed here, but provides counts only for the individual occupations.

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.

David Allan Gatley (School of Social Sciences, University of Staffordshire). Role: transcriber. Restrictions on use: the contributor must be acknowledged but the data may be freely used for non-commercial purposes.