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 County Durham RegC	Sunderland RegD/PLU

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	332	11
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	87	2
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	43	5
Prison Service, &c.	1	-
Police	160	-
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	34	4
Other Local or County Official	7	-
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	286	2
Army Officer (effective/retired)	13	1
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	171	-
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	6	-
Army Pensioner	15	-
Navy Officer (effective/retired)	10	-
Seaman, R.N.	60	-
Royal Marines (officers/men)	2	-
Navy Pensioner	9	1
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	760	683
Clergymen (Established Church)	39	-
Roman Catholic Priest	8	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	35	-
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	13	5
Nun, Sister of Charity	-	14
Theological Student	2	-
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	12	20
Barrister, Solicitor	58	-
Law Student	7	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	89	-
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	50	-
Dentist	15	-
Medical Student, Assistant	24	-
Midwife	-	2
Subordinate Medical Service	12	134
Schoolmaster	136	374
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	12	72
School Service, and others connected with teaching	10	7
Author, Editor, Journalist	18	-
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	7	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	2	-
Literary, Scientific, Institution, Service, &c.	4	1
Civil Engineer	23	-
Mining Engineer	18	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	9	-
Painter (artist)	13	2
Engraver (artist)	2	-
Sculptor	3	-
Architect	24	-
Musician, Music Master	58	39
Art Student	3	-
Photographer	22	4
Actor	10	7
Art, Music, Theatre Service	1	1
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	5	-
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	16	1
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	475	5,487
Domestic Coachman, Groom	115	-
Domestic Gardener	100	1
Domestic Indoor Servant	85	4,803
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	3	1
Inn, Hotel Servant	142	49
College, Club Service	7	5
Office Keeper (not Government)	7	33
Cook (not domestic)	1	7
Charwoman	1	251
Washing and Bathing Service	4	322
Hospital and Institution Service	9	15
Others engaged in Service	1	-
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	1,293	49
Merchant	16	-
Broker, Agent, Factor	168	2
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	43	-
Accountant	54	1
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	3	23
Commercial Traveller	126	-
Commercial Clerk	742	20
Officer of Commercial Company, Guild, Society &c.	4	1
Banker	2	-
Bank Service	34	-
Bill Discounter, Bill Broker, Finance Agent	7	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	94	2
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	4,726	35
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	98	-
Railway Guard	43	-
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	10	-
Other Railway Officials and Servants	244	2
Toll Collector, Turnpike Gate Keeper	1	-
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	16	1
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	79	1
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	598	3
Tramway Companies' Service	45	-
Inland Navigation Service	1	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	134	1
Navigation Service (on shore)	82	2
Seaman (Merchant Service)	2,816	14
Pilot	114	-
Ship Steward, Cook	51	1
Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service	179	2
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	45	1
Meter, Weigher	4	-
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	151	6
Telegraph, Telephone Service	15	1
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	450	90
Farmer, Grazier	64	8
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	26	-
Farm Bailiff	30	-
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	224	76
Land Drainage Service (not in towns)	1	-
Agricultural Machine - Proprietor, Attendant	7	1
Others engaged in, or connected with agriculture	1	-
Woodman	1	-
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	6	2
Gardener (not domestic)	90	3
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	186	5
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	4	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	71	2
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	12	-
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	2	-
Drover	1	-
Gamekeeper	4	-
Fisherman	91	3
Knacker, Catsmeat Dealer &c &c.	1	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	235	23
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	20	3
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	4	-
Bookbinder	16	12
Printer	177	3
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	9	5
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	9	-
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	2,531	15
Engine, Machine Maker	425	2
Millwright	32	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	1,134	4
Boiler Maker	769	3
Spinning and Weaving Machine Maker	1	-
Agricultural Machine and Implement Maker	2	-
Tool Maker, Dealer	4	1
Cutler, Scissors Maker	7	-
File Maker	28	-
Saw Maker	5	-
Needle Maker	1	-
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	58	1
Philosophical Instrument Maker	39	2
Electrical Apparatus Maker	8	-
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	3	-
Gunsmith, Gun Manufacturer	2	-
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	9	-
Toy Maker, Dealer	4	2
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	3,527	61
Builder	91	-
Carpenter, Joiner	1,282	2
Bricklayer	345	-
Mason	569	3
Slater, Tiler	87	-
Plasterer, Whitewasher	48	-
Paperhanger	17	2
Plumber	249	2
Painter, Glazier	478	4
Cabinet Maker	223	26
French Polisher	35	17
Furniture Broker, Dealer	20	5
Locksmith, Bellhanger	1	-
Gas Fitter	17	-
House and Shop Fittings - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Funeral Furniture Maker, Undertaker	1	-
Others	1	-
Wood Carver	15	-
Carver, Gilder	39	-
Dealer in Works of Art	3	-
Figure, Image - Maker, Dealer	3	-
Animal, Bird &c. Preserver, Naturalist	1	-
Artificial Flower Maker	1	-
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	103	-
Coachmaker	22	-
Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker	3	-
Wheelwright	2	-
Others	38	-
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	38	-
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	5,074	24
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	3,213	16
Shipwright, Ship Carpenter (ashore)	1,596	8
Mast, Yard, Oar, Block Maker	68	-
Ship Rigger, Chandler, Fitter	69	-
Sail Maker	128	-
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	153	3
Dye, Paint Manufacture	6	1
Ink, Blacking, Colour Substance Manufacture	1	-
Chemist, Druggist	105	1
Manufacturing Chemist	39	1
Drysalter	2	-
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	50	9
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	42	8
Tobacco Pipe, Snuff Box &c. Maker	8	1
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	1,882	557
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	194	54
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	11	117
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	6	10
Hop - Merchant, Dealer	1	-
Maltster	9	-
Brewer	63	3
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	38	18
Cellarman	20	-
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	29	2
Milkseller, Dairyman	28	13
Cheesemonger, Butterman	3	-
Butcher, Meat Salesman	473	12
Provision Curer, Dealer	64	13
Poulterer, Game Dealer	2	2
Fishmonger	46	34
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	14	1
Corn Miller	39	-
Baker	66	5
Confectioner, Pastrycook	55	85
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	87	32
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	619	152
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	15	4
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	538	191
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	2	1
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	1	2
Silk, Silk Goods, Manufacture	1	-
Silk Merchant, Dealer	2	1
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	-	1
Flax, Linen - Manufacturer, Dealer	3	-
Hemp, Jute, Cocoa Fibre Manufacture	-	7
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	132	65
Mat Maker, Seller	2	-
Canvas, Sailcloth Manufacture	11	1
Sacking, Sack, Bag - Maker, Dealer	-	1
Weaver (undefined)	3	3
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	27	9
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	1	1
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	349	88
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	3	10
Trimming Maker, Dealer	1	-
Others	-	1
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	912	1,903
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	18	4
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	-	9
Tailor	446	81
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	6	1,584
Shawl Manufacture	-	1
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	-	165
Hosiery Manufacture	1	12
Hosier, Haberdasher	5	18
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	324	21
Patten, Clog Maker	15	-
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	91	-
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	6	-
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	-	8
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	36	5
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	13	-
Furrier, Skinner	2	-
Tanner, Fellmonger	1	-
Currier	8	1
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	2	-
Brush, Broom, Maker	7	2
Quill, Feather - Dresser, Dealer	3	2
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	548	116
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	5	-
Oil and Colourman	2	-
Floor Cloth, Oil Cloth Manufacture	2	-
India Rubber, Gutta Percha - Worker, Dealer	1	-
Waterproof Goods - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	9	2
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	12	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	73	2
Sawyer	155	1
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	3	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	19	1
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	60	-
Cork, Bark - Cutter, Worker, Dealer	14	-
Paper Manufacture	146	100
Stationer, Law Stationer	27	10
Paper Box, Paper Bag Maker	3	-
Ticket, Label Writer	2	-
Others	14	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	8,535	165
Coal Miner	2,919	18
Ironstone Miner	11	2
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	198	1
Mine Service	19	2
Coal Merchant	62	7
Coalheaver	237	1
Coke, Charcoal, Peat - Cutter, Burner, Dealer	8	-
Gas Works Service	56	-
Stone Quarrier	76	-
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	12	-
Slate Quarrier	1	-
Slate Worker, Dealer	1	-
Limeburner	27	-
Clay, Sand, Gravel, Chalk, Labourer, Dealer	2	-
Well Sinker, Borer	3	-
Plaster, Cement Manufacture	36	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	88	3
Paviour	20	-
Road Contractor, Surveyor, Inspector	1	-
Road Labourer	28	-
Platelayer	74	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	29	1
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	147	50
Glass Manufacture	1,215	45
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	10	8
Waterworks Service	6	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	32	1
Lapidary	1	-
[Iron Manufacture]	1,458	10
Blacksmith	1,143	8
Whitesmith	25	-
Nail Manufacture	1	-
Anchor, Chain Manufacture	119	1
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	74	4
Other Iron and Steel Manufacture	2	-
[Coppersmith]	49	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	52	1
Metal Refiner, Worker, Turner, Dealer	32	-
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	205	1
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	12	1
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	37	-
Lamp, Lantern, Candlestick Maker	3	-
Clasp, Buckle, Hinge Maker	1	-
Others	3	-
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	4,513	371
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	80	139
Pawnbroker	43	21
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	97	133
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	136	2
Contractor (undefined)	21	-
General Labourer	3,010	24
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	613	2
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	371	11
Apprentice (undefined)	69	5
Factory Labourer (undefined)	57	8
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	16	26
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	33	1
Town Drainage Service	5	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	22	1
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	5	-
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	1	-
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	406	4,732
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	406	4,732
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	986	24,257
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	30	11
[Blank field, or illegible]	956	24,246

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.)