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	Wakefield RegD/PLU

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	395	29
Peer, M.P., Privy Councillor (not otherwise described)	1	-
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	71	4
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	42	1
Prison Service, &c.	105	23
Police	122	-
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	37	1
Other Local or County Official	17	-
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	30	-
Army Officer (effective/retired)	2	-
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	8	-
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	4	-
Army Pensioner	9	-
Navy Officer (effective/retired)	2	-
Royal Marines (officers/men)	3	-
Navy Pensioner	2	-
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	556	452
Clergymen (Established Church)	36	-
Roman Catholic Priest	5	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	18	1
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	5	-
Nun, Sister of Charity	-	62
Theological Student	5	-
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	9	2
Barrister, Solicitor	49	-
Law Student	5	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	85	-
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	30	-
Dentist	7	-
Medical Student, Assistant	12	-
Subordinate Medical Service	5	112
Schoolmaster	117	211
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	8	33
School Service, and others connected with teaching	4	4
Author, Editor, Journalist	9	-
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	4	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	2	-
Civil Engineer	9	1
Mining Engineer	24	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	17	-
Painter (artist)	2	3
Engraver (artist)	2	-
Architect	20	-
Musician, Music Master	34	13
Art Student	2	1
Photographer	11	-
Actor	9	4
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	6	5
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	5	-
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	360	3,054
Domestic Coachman, Groom	109	1
Domestic Gardener	63	-
Domestic Indoor Servant	71	2,651
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	-	1
Inn, Hotel Servant	54	49
College, Club Service	4	6
Office Keeper (not Government)	1	13
Cook (not domestic)	1	6
Charwoman	1	207
Washing and Bathing Service	2	93
Hospital and Institution Service	54	26
Others engaged in Service	-	1
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	576	9
Broker, Agent, Factor	46	-
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	26	-
Accountant	13	-
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	3	4
Commercial Traveller	78	-
Commercial Clerk	342	4
Officer of Commercial Company, Guild, Society &c.	4	-
Banker	2	-
Bank Service	17	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	45	1
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	1,887	20
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	242	2
Railway Guard	152	-
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	71	2
Other Railway Officials and Servants	664	7
Toll Collector, Turnpike Gate Keeper	2	-
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	8	1
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	52	-
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	310	3
Inland Navigation Service	17	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	134	1
Navigation Service (on shore)	1	-
Seaman (Merchant Service)	66	1
Ship Steward, Cook	1	-
Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service	8	-
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	40	1
Meter, Weigher	6	-
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	94	1
Telegraph, Telephone Service	19	1
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	1,605	52
Farmer, Grazier	336	13
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	126	-
Farm Bailiff	18	-
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	812	29
Shepherd	7	-
Land Drainage Service (not in towns)	2	-
Agricultural Machine - Proprietor, Attendant	6	-
Agricultural Student	3	-
Woodman	18	-
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	4	-
Gardener (not domestic)	273	10
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	158	1
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	7	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	90	-
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	2	-
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	38	-
Drover	7	-
Gamekeeper	12	1
Dog, Bird, Animal - Keeper, Dealer	1	-
Fisherman	1	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	197	26
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	19	2
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	4	-
Bookbinder	20	12
Printer	122	10
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	8	-
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	24	2
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	581	4
Engine, Machine Maker	139	-
Millwright	31	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	206	1
Boiler Maker	52	-
Spinning and Weaving Machine Maker	48	1
Agricultural Machine and Implement Maker	4	-
Domestic Machinery - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Tool Maker, Dealer	11	-
Cutler, Scissors Maker	23	1
File Maker	4	-
Saw Maker	2	-
Domestic Implement Maker	-	1
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	29	-
Philosophical Instrument Maker	2	-
Electrical Apparatus Maker	3	-
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	3	-
Surgical Instrument Maker	1	-
Gunsmith, Gun Manufacturer	1	-
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	20	-
Die, Seal, Coin, Medal Maker	1	-
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	1,924	28
Builder	66	-
Carpenter, Joiner	601	5
Bricklayer	425	2
Mason	332	1
Slater, Tiler	17	-
Plasterer, Whitewasher	75	-
Paperhanger	10	-
Plumber	109	-
Painter, Glazier	158	3
Cabinet Maker	77	13
French Polisher	9	3
Furniture Broker, Dealer	12	1
Locksmith, Bellhanger	2	-
Gas Fitter	7	-
House and Shop Fittings - Maker, Dealer	2	-
Funeral Furniture Maker, Undertaker	2	-
Others	1	-
Wood Carver	1	-
Carver, Gilder	16	-
Dealer in Works of Art	1	-
Animal, Bird &c. Preserver, Naturalist	1	-
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	206	1
Coachmaker	55	1
Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker	28	-
Wheelwright	64	-
Others	21	-
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	38	-
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	40	-
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	17	-
Shipwright, Ship Carpenter (ashore)	18	-
Mast, Yard, Oar, Block Maker	1	-
Sail Maker	4	-
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	94	5
Dye, Paint Manufacture	6	-
Ink, Blacking, Colour Substance Manufacture	11	1
Gunpowder, Guncotton, Explosive Substance Manufacture	1	-
Fusee, Fireworks, Explosive Article Manufacture	1	1
Chemist, Druggist	49	2
Manufacturing Chemist	22	1
Alkali Manufacture	3	-
Drysalter	1	-
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	29	2
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	26	1
Tobacco Pipe, Snuff Box &c. Maker	3	1
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	1,591	179
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	185	24
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	6	28
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	3	5
Maltster	237	2
Brewer	100	2
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	31	5
Cellarman	7	3
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	17	-
Milkseller, Dairyman	34	5
Cheesemonger, Butterman	6	-
Butcher, Meat Salesman	273	4
Provision Curer, Dealer	33	21
Poulterer, Game Dealer	1	-
Fishmonger	32	1
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	51	-
Corn Miller	73	-
Baker	41	4
Confectioner, Pastrycook	32	25
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	79	13
Mustard, Vinegar, Spice, Pickle Maker, Dealer	1	1
Sugar Refiner	1	1
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	332	35
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	16	-
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	1,902	2,455
Woolstapler	10	-
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	618	747
Wool, Woollen goods - Dyer, Printer	50	-
Worsted, Stuff, Manufacture	378	834
Flannel Manufacture	2	-
Blanket Manufacture	10	5
Fuller	41	2
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	25	20
Others	2	1
Silk, Silk Goods, Manufacture	5	12
Silk Merchant, Dealer	3	1
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	42	45
Cotton, Calico - Printer, Dyer, Bleacher	4	-
Cotton, Calico - Warehouseman, Dealer	2	1
Flax, Linen - Manufacturer, Dealer	14	11
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	-	2
Thread Manufacturer, Dealer	1	-
Hemp, Jute, Cocoa Fibre Manufacture	4	2
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	139	28
Mat Maker, Seller	37	11
Canvas, Sailcloth Manufacture	1	-
Sacking, Sack, Bag - Maker, Dealer	6	-
Weaver (undefined)	46	576
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	169	4
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	185	115
Carpet, Rug Manufacture	16	9
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	86	22
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	3	6
Others	3	1
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	666	971
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	5	4
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	-	3
Tailor	298	42
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	2	830
Shawl Manufacture	-	1
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	-	67
Hosiery Manufacture	1	8
Hosier, Haberdasher	13	5
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	278	8
Patten, Clog Maker	28	-
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	38	1
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	3	-
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	-	2
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	173	9
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	12	-
Soap Boiler, Maker	121	1
Manure Manufacture	1	-
Furrier, Skinner	5	4
Tanner, Fellmonger	5	-
Currier	16	-
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	1	3
Brush, Broom, Maker	12	-
Quill, Feather - Dresser, Dealer	-	1
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	258	222
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	15	-
Oil and Colourman	4	-
Japanner	2	-
Waterproof Goods - Maker, Dealer	3	-
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	14	1
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	27	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	14	-
Sawyer	47	1
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	2	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	16	-
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	32	-
Cork, Bark - Cutter, Worker, Dealer	1	-
Others	1	-
Paper Manufacture	49	216
Stationer, Law Stationer	12	3
Card, Pattern Card Maker	1	-
Paper Box, Paper Bag Maker	7	1
Ticket, Label Writer	2	-
Others	9	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	9,175	71
Coal Miner	6,821	21
Ironstone Miner	2	-
Lead Miner	2	-
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	116	2
Mine Service	75	-
Coal Merchant	32	1
Coalheaver	57	1
Coke, Charcoal, Peat - Cutter, Burner, Dealer	18	2
Gas Works Service	51	1
Stone Quarrier	182	2
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	38	5
Clay, Sand, Gravel, Chalk, Labourer, Dealer	1	-
Well Sinker, Borer	9	-
Plaster, Cement Manufacture	9	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	118	-
Paviour	7	-
Road Contractor, Surveyor, Inspector	5	-
Road Labourer	27	-
Railway Contractor	3	-
Platelayer	107	1
Railway Labourer, Navvy	100	-
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	13	5
Glass Manufacture	98	11
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	8	2
Salt Maker, Dealer	1	-
Waterworks Service	6	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	4	3
Others	-	1
[Iron Manufacture]	687	4
[Steel Manufacture]	3	-
Blacksmith	364	3
Whitesmith	54	-
Nail Manufacture	5	3
Anchor, Chain Manufacture	2	1
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	32	1
Other Iron and Steel Manufacture	3	-
[Coppersmith]	1	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	49	-
Metal Refiner, Worker, Turner, Dealer	2	-
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	51	-
White Metal, Plated Ware, Manufacture. Pewterer	1	1
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	8	-
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	3	-
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	2,241	361
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	63	63
Pawnbroker	13	2
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	94	44
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	27	2
Contractor (undefined)	7	-
General Labourer	1,332	11
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	472	3
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	103	52
Apprentice (undefined)	10	-
Factory Labourer (undefined)	112	176
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	8	8
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	57	5
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	34	-
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	2	-
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	21	5
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	361	2,289
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	361	2,289
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	289	13,656
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	17	6
[Blank field, or illegible]	272	13,650

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".

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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.)