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 Lancashire RegC	Prescot RegD/PLU

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	237	12
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	22	10
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	31	-
Prison Service, &c.	1	-
Police	126	-
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	38	2
Other Local or County Official	19	-
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	48	1
Army Officer (effective/retired)	1	1
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	18	-
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	8	-
Army Pensioner	20	-
Navy Pensioner	1	-
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	636	632
Clergymen (Established Church)	35	1
Roman Catholic Priest	63	1
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	19	-
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	5	3
Nun, Sister of Charity	5	26
Theological Student	41	-
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	10	2
Barrister, Solicitor	37	-
Law Student	2	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	48	-
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	31	-
Dentist	6	-
Medical Student, Assistant	23	-
Midwife	-	9
Subordinate Medical Service	3	83
Schoolmaster	121	396
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	5	69
School Service, and others connected with teaching	9	-
Author, Editor, Journalist	7	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	33	-
Literary, Scientific, Institution, Service, &c.	2	-
Civil Engineer	16	-
Mining Engineer	14	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	33	-
Painter (artist)	1	-
Architect	11	-
Musician, Music Master	24	25
Art Student	7	-
Photographer	3	-
Actor	8	14
Art, Music, Theatre Service	2	-
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	5	3
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	7	-
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	766	5,932
Domestic Coachman, Groom	156	-
Domestic Gardener	397	-
Domestic Indoor Servant	127	4,873
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	4	-
Inn, Hotel Servant	66	83
College, Club Service	1	-
Office Keeper (not Government)	1	6
Charwoman	-	247
Washing and Bathing Service	2	684
Hospital and Institution Service	12	39
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	1,020	11
Merchant	27	-
Broker, Agent, Factor	95	-
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	24	-
Accountant	26	-
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	4	3
Commercial Traveller	51	1
Commercial Clerk	679	6
Officer of Commercial Company, Guild, Society &c.	2	-
Banker	1	-
Bank Service	25	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	86	1
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	1,695	19
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	165	2
Railway Guard	24	-
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	51	2
Other Railway Officials and Servants	416	3
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	9	1
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	85	-
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	474	3
Tramway Companies' Service	3	-
Inland Navigation Service	3	1
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	105	1
Navigation Service (on shore)	12	-
Seaman (Merchant Service)	135	-
Pilot	3	-
Ship Steward, Cook	6	-
Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service	49	-
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	19	-
Meter, Weigher	12	-
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	115	3
Telegraph, Telephone Service	9	3
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	2,345	196
Farmer, Grazier	339	33
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	215	-
Farm Bailiff	38	-
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	1,563	160
Shepherd	3	-
Agricultural Machine - Proprietor, Attendant	2	-
Woodman	12	-
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	9	-
Gardener (not domestic)	164	3
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	157	-
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	5	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	80	-
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	13	-
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	3	-
Gamekeeper	38	-
Dog, Bird, Animal - Keeper, Dealer	5	-
Vermin Destroyer	5	-
Fisherman	7	-
Knacker, Catsmeat Dealer &c &c.	1	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	71	6
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	12	2
Bookbinder	3	2
Printer	51	-
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	5	2
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	1,577	42
Engine, Machine Maker	78	-
Millwright	22	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	335	-
Boiler Maker	140	-
Spinning and Weaving Machine Maker	-	1
Agricultural Machine and Implement Maker	2	-
Tool Maker, Dealer	158	1
File Maker	160	1
Saw Maker	5	-
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	662	38
Philosophical Instrument Maker	1	-
Electrical Apparatus Maker	2	1
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	8	-
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	1	-
Apparatus for other games, Maker, Dealer	3	-
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	2,530	17
Builder	78	-
Carpenter, Joiner	847	3
Bricklayer	626	1
Mason	280	-
Slater, Tiler	42	1
Plasterer, Whitewasher	61	-
Paperhanger	1	-
Plumber	211	4
Painter, Glazier	276	4
Cabinet Maker	33	1
French Polisher	6	-
Furniture Broker, Dealer	7	3
Gas Fitter	39	-
House and Shop Fittings - Maker, Dealer	2	-
Funeral Furniture Maker, Undertaker	2	-
Carver, Gilder	14	-
Figure, Image - Maker, Dealer	5	-
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	238	3
Coachmaker	15	-
Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker	5	-
Wheelwright	173	1
Others	5	-
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	40	2
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	61	-
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	12	-
Shipwright, Ship Carpenter (ashore)	31	-
Mast, Yard, Oar, Block Maker	2	-
Ship Rigger, Chandler, Fitter	5	-
Sail Maker	11	-
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	3,267	23
Gunpowder, Guncotton, Explosive Substance Manufacture	-	2
Fusee, Fireworks, Explosive Article Manufacture	2	7
Chemist, Druggist	79	5
Manufacturing Chemist	1,540	1
Alkali Manufacture	1,642	8
Drysalter	4	-
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	59	3
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	19	3
Tobacco Pipe, Snuff Box &c. Maker	40	-
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	1,424	445
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	242	52
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	7	52
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	7	-
Brewer	100	1
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	51	26
Cellarman	5	13
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	15	1
Milkseller, Dairyman	35	14
Butcher, Meat Salesman	206	15
Provision Curer, Dealer	74	34
Poulterer, Game Dealer	2	1
Fishmonger	24	11
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	13	1
Corn Miller	25	-
Baker	121	4
Confectioner, Pastrycook	19	89
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	49	19
Mustard, Vinegar, Spice, Pickle Maker, Dealer	1	-
Sugar Refiner	8	2
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	400	105
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	20	5
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	181	143
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	1	-
Silk, Silk Goods, Manufacture	-	2
Silk Merchant, Dealer	2	-
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	15	21
Cotton, Calico - Printer, Dyer, Bleacher	1	-
Cotton, Calico - Warehouseman, Dealer	4	-
Flax, Linen - Manufacturer, Dealer	6	17
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	-	1
Fustian Manufacturer, Dealer	-	4
Thread Manufacturer, Dealer	-	2
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	24	-
Mat Maker, Seller	-	1
Canvas, Sailcloth Manufacture	12	19
Sacking, Sack, Bag - Maker, Dealer	-	1
Weaver (undefined)	1	5
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	2	-
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	-	7
Felt Manufacture	2	-
Manchester Warehouseman	1	-
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	110	58
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	-	4
Others	-	1
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	586	1,234
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	5	-
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	-	1
Tailor	175	78
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	4	1,021
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	1	117
Hosier, Haberdasher	4	-
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	240	12
Patten, Clog Maker	114	1
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	39	1
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	3	1
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	1	2
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	192	2
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	7	1
Soap Boiler, Maker	148	-
Glue, Size, Gelatine, Isinglass - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Manure Manufacture	5	-
Furrier, Skinner	4	-
Tanner, Fellmonger	16	-
Currier	10	-
Hair, Bristle - Worker, Dealer	-	1
Brush, Broom, Maker	1	-
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	488	21
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	8	-
Oil and Colourman	2	-
Floor Cloth, Oil Cloth Manufacture	2	-
India Rubber, Gutta Percha - Worker, Dealer	1	-
Waterproof Goods - Maker, Dealer	37	3
Others	1	-
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	5	3
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	6	1
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	21	-
Sawyer	62	-
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	2	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	4	-
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	319	2
Paper Manufacture	1	1
Stationer, Law Stationer	11	7
Paper Box, Paper Bag Maker	2	4
Ticket, Label Writer	1	-
Others	3	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	9,511	793
Coal Miner	3,746	104
Ironstone Miner	1	-
Copper Miner	2	-
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	261	28
Mine Service	41	1
[Haulier] [not in Census Report but in codebook]	4	-
Coal Merchant	45	3
Coalheaver	32	3
Coke, Charcoal, Peat - Cutter, Burner, Dealer	2	-
Gas Works Service	67	1
Stone Quarrier	63	-
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	13	1
Slate Quarrier	1	-
Slate Worker, Dealer	1	1
Limeburner	8	-
Clay, Sand, Gravel, Chalk, Labourer, Dealer	24	2
Well Sinker, Borer	4	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	242	3
Paviour	27	-
Road Contractor, Surveyor, Inspector	3	-
Road Labourer	45	1
Railway Contractor	7	-
Platelayer	189	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	103	-
Others	6	-
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	126	20
Glass Manufacture	2,835	597
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	15	11
Salt Maker, Dealer	8	-
Waterworks Service	7	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	2	-
[Iron Manufacture]	619	5
[Steel Manufacture]	1	-
Blacksmith	462	-
Whitesmith	7	-
Nail Manufacture	8	3
Anchor, Chain Manufacture	5	2
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	37	6
Copper, Copper Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	311	-
[Coppersmith]	17	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	26	-
Lead, Leaden Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	6	-
Metal Refiner, Worker, Turner, Dealer	6	-
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	44	1
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	24	-
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	6	-
Lamp, Lantern, Candlestick Maker	2	-
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	6,506	304
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	49	151
Pawnbroker	46	6
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	32	43
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	57	2
Contractor (undefined)	17	-
General Labourer	5,557	29
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	495	1
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	151	43
Apprentice (undefined)	18	1
Factory Labourer (undefined)	81	15
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	3	13
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	34	1
Town Drainage Service	9	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	15	-
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	3	-
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	7	1
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	400	4,910
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	400	4,910
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	321	15,753
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	43	10
[Blank field, or illegible]	278	15,743

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.)