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 Leicester RegD/PLU/PLPar	West Leicester SubD	Aylestone Tn/CP/AP Knighton CP/Ch Leicester Abbey CP/ExP Leicester All Saints AP/CP Leicester Augustine Friars CP/ExP Leicester Blackfriars CP/ExP Leicester New Found Pool CP/ExP Leicester St Leonard CP/AP Leicester St Martin CP/AP Leicester St Mary AP/CP Leicester St Nicholas AP/CP Leicester the Castle View CP/ExP Leicester the Newarke CP/ParLib

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	120	4
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	16	1
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	19	-
Prison Service, &c.	12	3
Police	52	-
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	13	-
Other Local or County Official	8	-
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	36	-
Army Officer (effective/retired)	1	-
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	15	-
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	7	-
Army Pensioner	9	-
Navy Officer (effective/retired)	1	-
Navy Pensioner	3	-
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	343	373
Clergymen (Established Church)	13	1
Roman Catholic Priest	4	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	12	-
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	5	8
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	9	2
Barrister, Solicitor	24	-
Law Student	1	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	41	-
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	23	-
Dentist	7	-
Medical Student, Assistant	8	-
Midwife	-	4
Subordinate Medical Service	6	81
Schoolmaster	64	184
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	5	49
School Service, and others connected with teaching	7	4
Author, Editor, Journalist	2	-
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	4	-
Literary, Scientific, Institution, Service, &c.	2	1
Civil Engineer	5	-
Mining Engineer	1	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	5	-
Painter (artist)	7	1
Engraver (artist)	1	-
Sculptor	4	-
Architect	24	-
Musician, Music Master	24	28
Art Student	7	1
Photographer	8	4
Actor	10	4
Art, Music, Theatre Service	6	-
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	-	1
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	4	-
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	139	2,212
Domestic Coachman, Groom	27	-
Domestic Gardener	11	-
Domestic Indoor Servant	59	1,812
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	1	-
Inn, Hotel Servant	25	73
Office Keeper (not Government)	5	3
Cook (not domestic)	2	5
Charwoman	-	113
Washing and Bathing Service	5	159
Hospital and Institution Service	1	47
Others engaged in Service	3	-
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	479	17
Merchant	1	-
Broker, Agent, Factor	39	-
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	16	-
Accountant	17	-
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	3	2
Commercial Traveller	86	1
Commercial Clerk	263	13
Bank Service	39	-
Bill Discounter, Bill Broker, Finance Agent	2	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	13	1
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	438	87
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	4	-
Railway Guard	4	-
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	3	-
Other Railway Officials and Servants	38	-
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	7	-
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	50	1
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	98	1
Tramway Companies' Service	18	-
Inland Navigation Service	1	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	2	-
Seaman (Merchant Service)	4	-
Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service	3	-
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	109	76
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	94	9
Telegraph, Telephone Service	3	-
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	210	6
Farmer, Grazier	14	3
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	6	-
Farm Bailiff	3	-
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	104	2
Shepherd	2	-
Others engaged in, or connected with agriculture	1	-
Woodman	2	-
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	12	-
Gardener (not domestic)	66	1
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	69	-
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	1	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	51	-
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	3	-
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	9	-
Drover	2	-
Gamekeeper	1	-
Dog, Bird, Animal - Keeper, Dealer	2	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	149	31
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	22	8
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	3	7
Bookbinder	22	9
Printer	85	4
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	6	3
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	11	-
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	281	13
Engine, Machine Maker	52	-
Millwright	1	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	85	1
Boiler Maker	16	-
Spinning and Weaving Machine Maker	60	6
Agricultural Machine and Implement Maker	1	-
Tool Maker, Dealer	-	1
Cutler, Scissors Maker	4	1
Needle Maker	16	2
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	25	1
Electrical Apparatus Maker	8	1
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	2	-
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	6	-
Die, Seal, Coin, Medal Maker	4	-
Apparatus for other games, Maker, Dealer	1	-
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	1,073	20
Builder	38	-
Carpenter, Joiner	284	3
Bricklayer	280	1
Mason	51	-
Slater, Tiler	10	-
Plasterer, Whitewasher	20	-
Plumber	69	-
Painter, Glazier	169	1
Cabinet Maker	80	5
French Polisher	5	1
Furniture Broker, Dealer	9	5
Locksmith, Bellhanger	6	-
Gas Fitter	28	-
Funeral Furniture Maker, Undertaker	1	1
Wood Carver	1	-
Carver, Gilder	10	1
Figure, Image - Maker, Dealer	9	-
Animal, Bird &c. Preserver, Naturalist	3	-
Artificial Flower Maker	-	2
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	87	1
Coachmaker	33	1
Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker	1	-
Wheelwright	26	-
Bicycle, Tricycle - Maker, Dealer	3	-
Others	1	-
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	23	-
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	1	-
Sail Maker	1	-
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	58	-
Dye, Paint Manufacture	1	-
Ink, Blacking, Colour Substance Manufacture	1	-
Gunpowder, Guncotton, Explosive Substance Manufacture	1	-
Fusee, Fireworks, Explosive Article Manufacture	2	-
Chemist, Druggist	47	-
Manufacturing Chemist	6	-
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	44	70
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	42	70
Tobacco Pipe, Snuff Box &c. Maker	2	-
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	836	141
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	111	15
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	1	15
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	7	1
Maltster	12	1
Brewer	27	-
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	25	5
Cellarman	4	-
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	10	-
Milkseller, Dairyman	21	6
Cheesemonger, Butterman	-	1
Butcher, Meat Salesman	147	3
Provision Curer, Dealer	34	8
Poulterer, Game Dealer	3	1
Fishmonger	32	2
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	18	1
Corn Miller	31	-
Baker	105	7
Confectioner, Pastrycook	29	19
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	33	16
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	181	40
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	5	-
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	728	1,016
Woolstapler	10	1
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	165	185
Wool, Woollen goods - Dyer, Printer	14	-
Worsted, Stuff, Manufacture	119	390
Fuller	1	-
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	11	-
Silk, Silk Goods, Manufacture	7	63
Silk Dyer, Printer	5	-
Ribbon Manufacture	-	2
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	32	79
Cotton, Calico - Printer, Dyer, Bleacher	9	-
Cotton, Calico - Warehouseman, Dealer	-	1
Flax, Linen - Manufacturer, Dealer	4	-
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	2	7
Tape Manufacturer, Dealer	2	4
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	6	6
Others working and Dealing in Hemp	-	1
Weaver (undefined)	20	4
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	128	9
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	20	124
Carpet, Rug Manufacture	5	1
Manchester Warehouseman	1	-
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	141	52
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	4	78
Trimming Maker, Dealer	18	2
Embroiderer	-	4
Others	4	3
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	4,204	3,551
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	66	35
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	-	3
Tailor	133	73
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	13	633
Shawl Manufacture	-	1
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	5	133
Hosiery Manufacture	810	1,350
Hosier, Haberdasher	145	117
Glover, Glove Maker	11	22
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	2,985	1,171
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	31	8
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	4	1
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	1	4
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	72	3
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	1	-
Soap Boiler, Maker	2	-
Others	1	-
Furrier, Skinner	1	1
Tanner, Fellmonger	1	-
Currier	49	1
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	6	-
Brush, Broom, Maker	11	-
Quill, Feather - Dresser, Dealer	-	1
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	495	181
India Rubber, Gutta Percha - Worker, Dealer	355	79
Waterproof Goods - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	34	5
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	1	-
Thatcher	1	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	11	-
Sawyer	22	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	13	2
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	7	-
Cork, Bark - Cutter, Worker, Dealer	1	-
Paper Manufacture	5	2
Stationer, Law Stationer	12	9
Paper Box, Paper Bag Maker	30	83
Ticket, Label Writer	-	1
Others	2	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	540	9
Coal Miner	16	-
Ironstone Miner	-	1
Mine Service	3	-
Coal Merchant	33	-
Coalheaver	19	-
Gas Works Service	32	-
Stone Quarrier	6	-
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	3	-
Slate Worker, Dealer	1	-
Limeburner	3	-
Clay, Sand, Gravel, Chalk, Labourer, Dealer	1	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	36	1
Paviour	5	-
Road Labourer	9	-
Platelayer	4	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	15	-
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	2	-
Glass Manufacture	1	-
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	1	1
Waterworks Service	6	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	10	5
[Iron Manufacture]	135	-
Blacksmith	83	-
Whitesmith	5	-
Nail Manufacture	23	-
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	34	-
Other Iron and Steel Manufacture	20	1
[Coppersmith]	2	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	13	-
Metal Refiner, Worker, Turner, Dealer	4	-
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	11	-
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	2	-
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	1	-
Lamp, Lantern, Candlestick Maker	1	-
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	792	521
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	44	60
Pawnbroker	22	1
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	26	4
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	34	8
Contractor (undefined)	1	-
General Labourer	330	2
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	83	1
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	151	58
Apprentice (undefined)	11	2
Factory Labourer (undefined)	70	116
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	20	269
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	20	-
Town Drainage Service	1	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	16	-
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	2	-
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	1	-
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	152	1,189
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	152	1,189
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	100	4,413
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	14	11
[Blank field, or illegible]	86	4,402

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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