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 Monmouthshire RegC	Newport RegD/PLU

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	258	11
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	126	7
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	27	1
Police	75	-
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	21	3
Other Local or County Official	9	-
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	98	1
Army Officer (effective/retired)	7	-
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	59	-
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	2	-
Army Pensioner	16	1
Seaman, R.N.	7	-
Royal Marines (officers/men)	2	-
Navy Pensioner	5	-
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	466	411
Clergymen (Established Church)	39	1
Roman Catholic Priest	3	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	52	-
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	5	8
Nun, Sister of Charity	5	8
Theological Student	9	-
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	1	5
Barrister, Solicitor	34	-
Law Student	5	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	54	-
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	20	-
Dentist	9	1
Medical Student, Assistant	9	-
Midwife	-	7
Subordinate Medical Service	3	64
Schoolmaster	82	242
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	1	45
School Service, and others connected with teaching	5	-
Author, Editor, Journalist	5	-
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	6	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	1	-
Literary, Scientific, Institution, Service, &c.	2	-
Civil Engineer	21	-
Mining Engineer	15	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	6	-
Painter (artist)	3	2
Sculptor	7	-
Architect	17	-
Musician, Music Master	21	17
Art Student	2	-
Photographer	12	5
Actor	4	6
Art, Music, Theatre Service	1	-
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	1	-
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	6	-
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	286	3,531
Domestic Coachman, Groom	56	-
Domestic Gardener	94	-
Domestic Indoor Servant	97	2,942
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	2	-
Inn, Hotel Servant	31	72
Office Keeper (not Government)	1	5
Charwoman	-	186
Washing and Bathing Service	1	319
Hospital and Institution Service	3	7
Others engaged in Service	1	-
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	731	15
Merchant	20	1
Broker, Agent, Factor	115	1
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	24	-
Accountant	51	1
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	2	1
Commercial Traveller	96	4
Commercial Clerk	364	7
Bank Service	26	-
Bill Discounter, Bill Broker, Finance Agent	2	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	31	-
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	2,686	36
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	149	-
Railway Guard	94	3
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	26	-
Other Railway Officials and Servants	431	8
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	13	2
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	56	-
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	120	7
Tramway Companies' Service	3	-
Inland Navigation Service	9	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	23	-
Navigation Service (on shore)	17	-
Seaman (Merchant Service)	965	4
Pilot	53	-
Ship Steward, Cook	41	1
Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service	515	3
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	21	2
Meter, Weigher	22	-
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	119	1
Telegraph, Telephone Service	9	5
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	1,778	106
Farmer, Grazier	435	49
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	273	-
Farm Bailiff	61	-
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	812	53
Shepherd	12	-
Others engaged in, or connected with agriculture	1	-
Woodman	44	1
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	4	1
Gardener (not domestic)	136	2
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	111	1
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	5	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	54	-
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	7	-
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	21	-
Gamekeeper	12	1
Vermin Destroyer	1	-
Fisherman	11	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	112	12
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	9	4
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	1	1
Bookbinder	5	3
Printer	88	3
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	4	1
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	5	-
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	562	7
Engine, Machine Maker	97	1
Millwright	4	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	310	2
Boiler Maker	79	1
Agricultural Machine and Implement Maker	2	-
Tool Maker, Dealer	4	1
Cutler, Scissors Maker	2	-
Saw Maker	1	-
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	29	-
Philosophical Instrument Maker	6	-
Electrical Apparatus Maker	5	-
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	7	-
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	10	1
Die, Seal, Coin, Medal Maker	3	-
Toy Maker, Dealer	2	1
Apparatus for other games, Maker, Dealer	1	-
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	1,406	43
Builder	42	2
Carpenter, Joiner	433	10
Bricklayer	31	1
Mason	460	10
Slater, Tiler	29	-
Plasterer, Whitewasher	84	3
Paperhanger	4	-
Plumber	37	2
Painter, Glazier	174	4
Cabinet Maker	49	6
French Polisher	7	1
Furniture Broker, Dealer	4	1
Locksmith, Bellhanger	2	-
Gas Fitter	28	-
House and Shop Fittings - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Funeral Furniture Maker, Undertaker	11	1
Carver, Gilder	6	-
Figure, Image - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Animal, Bird &c. Preserver, Naturalist	2	-
Artificial Flower Maker	1	2
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	134	4
Coachmaker	23	1
Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker	23	-
Wheelwright	60	3
Others	2	-
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	26	-
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	203	1
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	23	-
Shipwright, Ship Carpenter (ashore)	115	-
Mast, Yard, Oar, Block Maker	7	-
Ship Rigger, Chandler, Fitter	34	-
Sail Maker	24	1
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	47	1
Ink, Blacking, Colour Substance Manufacture	1	-
Fusee, Fireworks, Explosive Article Manufacture	1	-
Chemist, Druggist	29	1
Manufacturing Chemist	12	-
Alkali Manufacture	4	-
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	16	11
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	14	10
Tobacco Pipe, Snuff Box &c. Maker	2	1
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	1,010	272
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	150	66
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	8	34
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	11	8
Maltster	9	-
Brewer	44	4
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	14	8
Cellarman	11	-
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	13	-
Milkseller, Dairyman	38	8
Cheesemonger, Butterman	-	1
Butcher, Meat Salesman	159	10
Provision Curer, Dealer	10	-
Fishmonger	27	7
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	17	1
Corn Miller	7	-
Baker	130	12
Confectioner, Pastrycook	22	23
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	26	31
Mustard, Vinegar, Spice, Pickle Maker, Dealer	2	1
Sugar Refiner	6	-
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	296	56
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	10	2
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	198	111
Woolstapler	1	-
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	24	10
Wool, Woollen goods - Dyer, Printer	-	1
Flannel Manufacture	8	2
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	2	1
Silk Merchant, Dealer	1	-
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	1	3
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	-	2
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	12	-
Sacking, Sack, Bag - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Weaver (undefined)	5	-
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	4	2
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	-	1
Carpet, Rug Manufacture	1	-
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	135	77
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	2	11
Trimming Maker, Dealer	1	-
Embroiderer	-	1
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	495	1,117
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	9	1
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	-	2
Tailor	201	109
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	3	927
Shawl Manufacture	1	-
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	3	63
Hosier, Haberdasher	3	-
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	242	14
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	30	1
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	2	-
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	1	-
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	26	-
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	3	-
Furrier, Skinner	2	-
Tanner, Fellmonger	8	-
Currier	2	-
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	2	-
Brush, Broom, Maker	9	-
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	196	24
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	2	-
Oil and Colourman	1	1
India Rubber, Gutta Percha - Worker, Dealer	1	-
Waterproof Goods - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	21	2
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	16	1
Thatcher	1	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	40	-
Sawyer	58	-
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	10	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	6	1
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	24	1
Others	-	1
Stationer, Law Stationer	8	17
Paper Box, Paper Bag Maker	1	-
Others	6	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	5,062	229
Coal Miner	1,678	7
Ironstone Miner	12	-
Tin Miner	2	-
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	17	-
Mine Service	30	4
[Haulier] [not in Census Report but in codebook]	157	-
Coal Merchant	52	3
Coalheaver	85	1
Coke, Charcoal, Peat - Cutter, Burner, Dealer	21	3
Gas Works Service	42	3
Stone Quarrier	74	-
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	13	-
Limeburner	15	-
Clay, Sand, Gravel, Chalk, Labourer, Dealer	19	-
Well Sinker, Borer	1	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	61	7
Paviour	1	-
Road Contractor, Surveyor, Inspector	3	-
Road Labourer	15	-
Railway Contractor	7	-
Platelayer	138	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	112	1
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	19	4
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	7	4
Salt Maker, Dealer	3	-
Waterworks Service	6	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	10	2
Others	-	1
[Iron Manufacture]	1,017	18
[Steel Manufacture]	11	-
Blacksmith	422	4
Whitesmith	2	-
Nail Manufacture	105	-
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	45	1
[Coppersmith]	7	-
[Tin Manufacture]	1	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	732	154
Metal Refiner, Worker, Turner, Dealer	6	-
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	14	-
White Metal, Plated Ware, Manufacture. Pewterer	9	-
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	59	-
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	24	12
Lamp, Lantern, Candlestick Maker	2	-
Others	6	-
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	2,803	236
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	60	68
Pawnbroker	13	2
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	30	33
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	79	9
Contractor (undefined)	17	-
General Labourer	2,016	52
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	329	1
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	152	36
Apprentice (undefined)	18	1
Factory Labourer (undefined)	73	25
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	16	9
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	18	3
Town Drainage Service	2	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	10	2
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	2	-
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	4	1
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	305	2,522
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	305	2,522
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	336	10,591
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	29	6
[Blank field, or illegible]	307	10,585

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.)