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 Wolverhampton RegD	Wolverhampton Western SubD

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	135	7
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	44	7
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	12	-
Police	53	-
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	16	-
Other Local or County Official	10	-
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	10	-
Army Officer (effective/retired)	2	-
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	1	-
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	2	-
Army Pensioner	3	-
Seaman, R.N.	1	-
Royal Marines (officers/men)	1	-
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	341	344
Clergymen (Established Church)	21	-
Roman Catholic Priest	3	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	11	-
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	3	2
Nun, Sister of Charity	-	25
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	2	1
Barrister, Solicitor	28	-
Law Student	4	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	54	-
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	15	1
Dentist	11	1
Medical Student, Assistant	8	-
Midwife	-	2
Subordinate Medical Service	5	19
Schoolmaster	74	197
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	3	63
School Service, and others connected with teaching	3	-
Author, Editor, Journalist	11	-
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	4	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	1	-
Civil Engineer	17	-
Mining Engineer	1	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	3	-
Painter (artist)	9	1
Sculptor	2	-
Architect	10	-
Musician, Music Master	22	23
Art Student	1	2
Photographer	5	3
Actor	4	4
Art, Music, Theatre Service	1	-
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	1	-
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	4	-
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	192	2,121
Domestic Coachman, Groom	85	2
Domestic Gardener	34	-
Domestic Indoor Servant	23	1,820
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	1	1
Inn, Hotel Servant	43	41
College, Club Service	1	-
Office Keeper (not Government)	1	10
Charwoman	-	89
Washing and Bathing Service	2	149
Hospital and Institution Service	1	9
Others engaged in Service	1	-
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	773	21
Merchant	8	-
Broker, Agent, Factor	64	1
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	13	-
Accountant	18	-
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	3	5
Commercial Traveller	77	1
Commercial Clerk	533	11
Bank Service	23	-
Bill Discounter, Bill Broker, Finance Agent	4	1
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	30	2
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	686	64
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	108	-
Railway Guard	18	-
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	7	-
Other Railway Officials and Servants	181	1
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	7	-
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	46	-
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	148	3
Tramway Companies' Service	16	-
Inland Navigation Service	3	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	7	-
Ship Steward, Cook	1	-
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	39	58
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	100	1
Telegraph, Telephone Service	5	1
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	112	11
Farmer, Grazier	15	2
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	2	-
Farm Bailiff	1	-
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	53	8
Agricultural Machine - Proprietor, Attendant	2	-
Woodman	1	-
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	9	-
Gardener (not domestic)	29	1
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	57	1
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	3	1
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	40	-
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	6	-
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	2	-
Drover	2	-
Gamekeeper	1	-
Fisherman	1	-
Knacker, Catsmeat Dealer &c &c.	2	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	152	39
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	13	2
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	2	1
Bookbinder	12	26
Printer	110	5
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	3	5
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	11	-
Copper Plate and Steel Plate Printer	1	-
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	777	23
Engine, Machine Maker	112	3
Millwright	3	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	247	-
Boiler Maker	62	-
Spinning and Weaving Machine Maker	1	-
Agricultural Machine and Implement Maker	13	-
Domestic Machinery - Maker, Dealer	45	1
Tool Maker, Dealer	86	2
Cutler, Scissors Maker	1	-
File Maker	42	-
Saw Maker	1	-
Domestic Implement Maker	18	4
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	16	1
Philosophical Instrument Maker	75	7
Electrical Apparatus Maker	1	1
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	13	-
Gunsmith, Gun Manufacturer	32	-
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	4	-
Die, Seal, Coin, Medal Maker	2	2
Toy Maker, Dealer	2	2
Apparatus for other games, Maker, Dealer	1	-
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	1,668	73
Builder	50	-
Carpenter, Joiner	255	-
Bricklayer	137	1
Mason	43	1
Slater, Tiler	6	-
Plasterer, Whitewasher	34	-
Paperhanger	10	1
Plumber	33	-
Painter, Glazier	163	4
Cabinet Maker	103	9
French Polisher	12	18
Furniture Broker, Dealer	5	2
Locksmith, Bellhanger	759	35
Gas Fitter	39	-
House and Shop Fittings - Maker, Dealer	4	-
Funeral Furniture Maker, Undertaker	3	-
Wood Carver	2	-
Carver, Gilder	8	-
Dealer in Works of Art	1	1
Artificial Flower Maker	1	1
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	183	2
Coachmaker	80	1
Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker	5	-
Wheelwright	21	-
Bicycle, Tricycle - Maker, Dealer	51	-
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	26	1
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	6	1
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	3	1
Ship Rigger, Chandler, Fitter	3	-
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	47	12
Dye, Paint Manufacture	6	7
Chemist, Druggist	34	4
Manufacturing Chemist	6	-
Drysalter	1	1
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	12	8
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	10	8
Tobacco Pipe, Snuff Box &c. Maker	2	-
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	704	144
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	83	19
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	-	18
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	5	2
Hop - Merchant, Dealer	-	1
Maltster	39	-
Brewer	36	1
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	26	4
Cellarman	5	-
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	16	1
Milkseller, Dairyman	24	7
Butcher, Meat Salesman	115	10
Provision Curer, Dealer	24	13
Poulterer, Game Dealer	5	-
Fishmonger	15	6
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	9	-
Corn Miller	4	-
Baker	93	8
Confectioner, Pastrycook	28	8
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	23	13
Mustard, Vinegar, Spice, Pickle Maker, Dealer	1	-
Sugar Refiner	1	-
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	144	33
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	8	-
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	132	35
Woolstapler	-	1
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	1	-
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	4	-
Silk Dyer, Printer	1	1
Silk Merchant, Dealer	1	-
Cotton, Calico - Warehouseman, Dealer	1	1
Flax, Linen - Manufacturer, Dealer	-	1
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	-	1
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	31	7
Sacking, Sack, Bag - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	3	-
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	1	-
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	87	22
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	1	1
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	402	691
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	10	3
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	-	1
Tailor	138	56
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	1	484
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	1	47
Hosier, Haberdasher	10	23
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	211	72
Patten, Clog Maker	1	-
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	26	1
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	4	2
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	-	2
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	26	3
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	4	1
Manure Manufacture	1	-
Bone, Horn, Ivory, Tortoise-shell - Worker, Dealer	3	-
Furrier, Skinner	2	-
Tanner, Fellmonger	1	-
Currier	7	-
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	1	-
Brush, Broom, Maker	7	1
Quill, Feather - Dresser, Dealer	-	1
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	351	169
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	3	-
Japanner	181	145
India Rubber, Gutta Percha - Worker, Dealer	2	-
Waterproof Goods - Maker, Dealer	-	2
Others	20	1
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	14	2
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	9	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	13	2
Sawyer	13	-
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	5	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	10	-
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	50	-
Others	4	1
Paper Manufacture	3	1
Stationer, Law Stationer	21	11
Paper Stainer	1	-
Paper Box, Paper Bag Maker	-	4
Others	2	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	2,258	188
Coal Miner	51	1
Ironstone Miner	1	-
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	2	-
Mine Service	1	-
Coal Merchant	47	2
Coalheaver	1	-
Gas Works Service	8	-
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	9	-
Slate Worker, Dealer	1	-
Limeburner	2	-
Well Sinker, Borer	1	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	33	5
Paviour	2	-
Road Contractor, Surveyor, Inspector	1	-
Road Labourer	11	-
Platelayer	1	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	12	-
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	3	2
Glass Manufacture	1	-
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	4	6
Salt Maker, Dealer	3	1
Waterworks Service	1	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	10	2
Others	1	-
[Iron Manufacture]	470	31
[Steel Manufacture]	34	1
Blacksmith	206	1
Whitesmith	43	1
Nail Manufacture	13	2
Anchor, Chain Manufacture	6	-
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	54	1
Other Iron and Steel Manufacture	27	14
Copper, Copper Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	2	-
[Coppersmith]	11	-
[Tin Manufacture]	1	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	547	47
Zinc, Zinc Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	2	-
Metal Refiner, Worker, Turner, Dealer	14	1
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	502	18
Metal Burnisher, Lacquerer	22	18
White Metal, Plated Ware, Manufacture. Pewterer	20	3
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	8	1
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	40	26
Lamp, Lantern, Candlestick Maker	7	3
Clasp, Buckle, Hinge Maker	15	-
Others	7	1
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	579	264
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	20	81
Pawnbroker	9	9
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	21	23
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	19	1
Contractor (undefined)	1	-
General Labourer	275	2
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	59	1
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	107	71
Apprentice (undefined)	5	-
Factory Labourer (undefined)	49	62
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	14	14
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	18	1
Town Drainage Service	3	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	14	-
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	1	1
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	146	799
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	146	799
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	172	5,914
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	8	7
[Blank field, or illegible]	164	5,907

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.)