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	Halifax RegD/PLU	Brighouse Elland Halifax North Halifax South Luddenden Ovenden Rastrick Ripponden Southowram Sowerby

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	327	21
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	62	13
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	48	3
Prison Service, &c.	-	1
Police	133	1
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	66	2
Other Local or County Official	17	1
East Indian and Colonial Service	1	-
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	338	1
Army Officer (effective/retired)	9	-
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	260	1
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	22	-
Army Pensioner	44	-
Royal Marines (officers/men)	1	-
Navy Pensioner	2	-
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	934	713
Clergymen (Established Church)	48	-
Roman Catholic Priest	4	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	56	-
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	7	7
Theological Student	5	-
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	37	5
Barrister, Solicitor	44	-
Law Student	1	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	102	-
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	52	-
Dentist	28	-
Medical Student, Assistant	23	-
Midwife	-	5
Subordinate Medical Service	12	104
Schoolmaster	237	473
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	13	49
School Service, and others connected with teaching	17	4
Author, Editor, Journalist	10	-
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	3	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	3	-
Civil Engineer	20	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	8	-
Painter (artist)	9	1
Engraver (artist)	2	-
Sculptor	1	-
Architect	47	-
Musician, Music Master	79	43
Art Student	13	-
Photographer	18	5
Actor	11	13
Art, Music, Theatre Service	3	-
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	4	4
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	17	-
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	651	5,549
Domestic Coachman, Groom	249	1
Domestic Gardener	177	-
Domestic Indoor Servant	103	4,804
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	5	1
Inn, Hotel Servant	80	80
College, Club Service	9	2
Office Keeper (not Government)	10	16
Cook (not domestic)	-	7
Charwoman	1	390
Washing and Bathing Service	12	238
Hospital and Institution Service	2	9
Others engaged in Service	3	1
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	1,266	38
Merchant	13	3
Broker, Agent, Factor	93	6
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	26	2
Accountant	43	-
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	3	7
Commercial Traveller	169	4
Commercial Clerk	757	14
Officer of Commercial Company, Guild, Society &c.	1	-
Banker	1	-
Bank Service	65	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	95	2
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	2,347	19
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	25	-
Railway Guard	14	-
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	41	-
Other Railway Officials and Servants	409	2
Toll Collector, Turnpike Gate Keeper	1	1
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	25	-
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	115	1
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	1,132	5
Tramway Companies' Service	1	-
Inland Navigation Service	9	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	98	2
Navigation Service (on shore)	1	-
Seaman (Merchant Service)	18	1
Ship Steward, Cook	4	1
Boatman on Seas	2	-
Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service	4	-
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	258	2
Meter, Weigher	2	-
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	168	2
Telegraph, Telephone Service	20	2
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	2,418	108
Farmer, Grazier	1,046	68
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	167	-
Farm Bailiff	19	-
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	950	39
Shepherd	1	-
Land Drainage Service (not in towns)	1	-
Agricultural Machine - Proprietor, Attendant	1	-
Woodman	4	-
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	15	-
Gardener (not domestic)	214	1
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	133	1
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	2	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	86	1
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	16	-
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	12	-
Drover	2	-
Gamekeeper	13	-
Dog, Bird, Animal - Keeper, Dealer	2	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	311	48
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	33	6
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	13	1
Bookbinder	38	28
Printer	201	6
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	13	5
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	12	1
Map and Print - Colourer, Seller	1	1
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	2,451	44
Engine, Machine Maker	376	6
Millwright	127	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	441	-
Boiler Maker	316	2
Spinning and Weaving Machine Maker	853	26
Agricultural Machine and Implement Maker	1	1
Domestic Machinery - Maker, Dealer	3	-
Tool Maker, Dealer	111	4
Cutler, Scissors Maker	6	-
Saw Maker	5	-
Needle Maker	1	-
Domestic Implement Maker	2	-
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	56	-
Philosophical Instrument Maker	13	-
Electrical Apparatus Maker	56	2
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	18	-
Surgical Instrument Maker	2	1
Gunsmith, Gun Manufacturer	3	-
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	54	2
Type Cutter, Founder	1	-
Die, Seal, Coin, Medal Maker	2	-
Toy Maker, Dealer	3	-
Apparatus for other games, Maker, Dealer	1	-
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	4,351	91
Builder	43	-
Carpenter, Joiner	1,061	2
Bricklayer	74	-
Mason	1,584	2
Slater, Tiler	85	-
Plasterer, Whitewasher	298	-
Paperhanger	7	1
Plumber	284	1
Painter, Glazier	356	3
Cabinet Maker	377	77
French Polisher	48	3
Furniture Broker, Dealer	35	2
Locksmith, Bellhanger	8	-
Gas Fitter	20	-
House and Shop Fittings - Maker, Dealer	11	-
Funeral Furniture Maker, Undertaker	2	-
Wood Carver	22	-
Carver, Gilder	25	-
Dealer in Works of Art	1	-
Figure, Image - Maker, Dealer	8	-
Animal, Bird &c. Preserver, Naturalist	2	-
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	299	3
Coachmaker	53	1
Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker	2	-
Wheelwright	146	1
Others	39	-
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	59	1
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	9	-
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	6	-
Shipwright, Ship Carpenter (ashore)	2	-
Ship Rigger, Chandler, Fitter	1	-
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	232	2
Dye, Paint Manufacture	52	1
Chemist, Druggist	80	1
Manufacturing Chemist	79	-
Alkali Manufacture	1	-
Drysalter	20	-
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	72	48
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	63	48
Tobacco Pipe, Snuff Box &c. Maker	9	-
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	2,731	450
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	256	48
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	15	32
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	13	2
Maltster	76	-
Brewer	158	2
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	129	30
Cellarman	20	-
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	36	2
Milkseller, Dairyman	81	4
Cheesemonger, Butterman	11	-
Butcher, Meat Salesman	492	17
Provision Curer, Dealer	19	6
Poulterer, Game Dealer	7	-
Fishmonger	52	4
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	25	2
Corn Miller	207	1
Baker	120	21
Confectioner, Pastrycook	49	85
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	248	25
Mustard, Vinegar, Spice, Pickle Maker, Dealer	2	6
Sugar Refiner	2	-
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	700	163
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	13	-
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	14,284	16,827
Woolstapler	182	-
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	2,643	2,859
Wool, Woollen goods - Dyer, Printer	114	3
Worsted, Stuff, Manufacture	3,035	7,417
Flannel Manufacture	1	2
Blanket Manufacture	8	13
Fuller	155	1
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	205	9
Others	14	52
Silk, Silk Goods, Manufacture	840	1,042
Silk Dyer, Printer	7	3
Silk Merchant, Dealer	5	-
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	3,570	3,737
Cotton, Calico - Printer, Dyer, Bleacher	256	9
Cotton, Calico - Warehouseman, Dealer	35	4
Flax, Linen - Manufacturer, Dealer	73	196
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	1	2
Fustian Manufacturer, Dealer	11	4
Thread Manufacturer, Dealer	1	3
[Others]	-	1
Hemp, Jute, Cocoa Fibre Manufacture	7	3
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	41	4
Canvas, Sailcloth Manufacture	-	2
Sacking, Sack, Bag - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Weaver (undefined)	82	221
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	1,116	13
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	512	240
Felt Manufacture	1	-
Carpet, Rug Manufacture	1,060	842
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	265	79
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	16	37
Trimming Maker, Dealer	2	4
Others	25	25
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	1,553	2,066
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	17	7
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	-	4
Tailor	487	137
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	6	1,683
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	1	135
Hosiery Manufacture	1	2
Hosier, Haberdasher	22	8
Glover, Glove Maker	-	1
Button Maker, Dealer	1	-
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	659	83
Patten, Clog Maker	251	1
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	99	-
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	8	2
Accoutrement Maker	1	-
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	-	3
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	369	84
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	26	1
Soap Boiler, Maker	9	-
Glue, Size, Gelatine, Isinglass - Maker, Dealer	4	-
Manure Manufacture	1	-
Bone, Horn, Ivory, Tortoise-shell - Worker, Dealer	1	-
Comb Maker	-	1
Furrier, Skinner	2	2
Tanner, Fellmonger	27	1
Currier	145	2
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	31	13
Hair, Bristle - Worker, Dealer	2	-
Brush, Broom, Maker	121	60
Quill, Feather - Dresser, Dealer	-	4
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	576	118
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	19	1
Floor Cloth, Oil Cloth Manufacture	30	1
Japanner	1	2
India Rubber, Gutta Percha - Worker, Dealer	12	2
Waterproof Goods - Maker, Dealer	9	2
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	29	-
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	22	-
Thatcher	1	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	36	-
Sawyer	65	-
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	2	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	71	6
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	52	-
Cork, Bark - Cutter, Worker, Dealer	11	11
Paper Manufacture	121	44
Stationer, Law Stationer	25	7
Card, Pattern Card Maker	53	10
Paper Box, Paper Bag Maker	3	26
Ticket, Label Writer	3	6
Others	11	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	6,835	114
Coal Miner	556	4
Ironstone Miner	3	-
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	11	-
Mine Service	12	-
Coal Merchant	132	8
Coalheaver	27	-
Coke, Charcoal, Peat - Cutter, Burner, Dealer	1	-
Gas Works Service	162	1
Stone Quarrier	1,761	4
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	603	5
Slate Worker, Dealer	1	-
Limeburner	6	1
Clay, Sand, Gravel, Chalk, Labourer, Dealer	97	-
Well Sinker, Borer	3	-
Plaster, Cement Manufacture	1	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	247	3
Paviour	51	-
Road Contractor, Surveyor, Inspector	16	-
Road Labourer	67	-
Railway Contractor	5	-
Platelayer	71	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	160	-
Others	1	-
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	61	1
Glass Manufacture	1	-
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	21	5
Waterworks Service	11	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	18	1
Lapidary	1	-
Others	-	2
[Iron Manufacture]	848	3
[Steel Manufacture]	4	-
Blacksmith	499	2
Whitesmith	62	2
Nail Manufacture	9	1
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	65	4
Other Iron and Steel Manufacture	12	-
[Coppersmith]	9	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	93	1
Zinc, Zinc Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	3	-
Lead, Leaden Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	1	-
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	227	1
Metal Burnisher, Lacquerer	-	1
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	874	64
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	20	-
Lamp, Lantern, Candlestick Maker	1	-
Others	1	-
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	3,088	461
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	72	94
Pawnbroker	21	2
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	174	51
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	106	6
Contractor (undefined)	27	-
General Labourer	1,266	9
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	673	7
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	533	59
Apprentice (undefined)	16	2
Factory Labourer (undefined)	182	193
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	18	38
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	63	3
Town Drainage Service	4	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	33	-
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	15	-
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	11	3
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	456	4,746
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	456	4,746
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	319	21,549
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	34	21
[Blank field, or illegible]	285	21,528

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.

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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.)

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