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 Ham RegD/PLU	West Ham AP/CP

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	487	10
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	179	8
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	77	1
Prison Service, &c.	1	-
Police	180	1
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	39	-
Other Local or County Official	10	-
East Indian and Colonial Service	1	-
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	114	12
Army Officer (effective/retired)	15	11
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	25	1
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	8	-
Army Pensioner	30	-
Navy Officer (effective/retired)	3	-
Seaman, R.N.	11	-
Royal Marines (officers/men)	1	-
Navy Pensioner	21	-
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	743	806
Clergymen (Established Church)	29	1
Roman Catholic Priest	14	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	22	-
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	18	11
Nun, Sister of Charity	-	17
Theological Student	12	-
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	13	9
Barrister, Solicitor	22	3
Law Student	1	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	89	2
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	40	1
Dentist	8	1
Medical Student, Assistant	25	1
Midwife	-	11
Subordinate Medical Service	15	217
Schoolmaster	162	362
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	14	94
School Service, and others connected with teaching	13	5
Author, Editor, Journalist	7	1
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	10	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	8	-
Literary, Scientific, Institution, Service, &c.	1	1
Civil Engineer	31	1
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	22	-
Painter (artist)	16	2
Engraver (artist)	7	-
Sculptor	2	-
Architect	47	-
Musician, Music Master	49	59
Art Student	2	2
Photographer	24	-
Actor	11	3
Art, Music, Theatre Service	1	-
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	2	1
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	6	1
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	525	4,306
Domestic Coachman, Groom	32	-
Domestic Gardener	31	1
Domestic Indoor Servant	108	3,284
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	15	-
Inn, Hotel Servant	266	144
College, Club Service	2	-
Office Keeper (not Government)	7	6
Cook (not domestic)	46	1
Charwoman	2	230
Washing and Bathing Service	9	629
Hospital and Institution Service	5	11
Others engaged in Service	2	-
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	2,349	39
Merchant	13	-
Broker, Agent, Factor	101	-
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	31	-
Accountant	68	-
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	23	7
Commercial Traveller	258	4
Commercial Clerk	1,702	26
Officer of Commercial Company, Guild, Society &c.	7	-
Banker	1	-
Bank Service	62	-
Bill Discounter, Bill Broker, Finance Agent	3	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	80	2
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	6,445	45
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	396	1
Railway Guard	136	-
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	50	-
Other Railway Officials and Servants	1,066	9
Toll Collector, Turnpike Gate Keeper	3	-
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	10	-
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	128	1
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	648	1
Tramway Companies' Service	47	-
Inland Navigation Service	4	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	240	-
Navigation Service (on shore)	10	-
Seaman (Merchant Service)	1,052	6
Pilot	11	-
Ship Steward, Cook	147	5
Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service	1,795	7
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	192	3
Meter, Weigher	21	-
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	451	5
Telegraph, Telephone Service	38	7
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	349	43
Farmer, Grazier	22	-
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	1	-
Farm Bailiff	23	1
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	129	23
Shepherd	1	-
Land Drainage Service (not in towns)	2	-
Others engaged in, or connected with agriculture	1	2
Woodman	12	4
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	15	2
Gardener (not domestic)	143	11
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	188	2
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	8	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	110	-
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	42	-
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	12	1
Drover	5	-
Gamekeeper	2	-
Dog, Bird, Animal - Keeper, Dealer	2	-
Vermin Destroyer	3	-
Fisherman	3	-
Knacker, Catsmeat Dealer &c &c.	1	1
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	391	42
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	36	3
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	2	1
Bookbinder	53	27
Printer	259	5
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	13	6
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	22	-
Copper Plate and Steel Plate Printer	4	-
Map and Print - Colourer, Seller	2	-
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	2,004	27
Engine, Machine Maker	435	3
Millwright	29	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	787	2
Boiler Maker	442	-
Spinning and Weaving Machine Maker	3	-
Agricultural Machine and Implement Maker	2	-
Domestic Machinery - Maker, Dealer	2	-
Tool Maker, Dealer	13	-
Cutler, Scissors Maker	9	-
File Maker	7	1
Saw Maker	10	-
Domestic Implement Maker	3	-
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	79	4
Philosophical Instrument Maker	38	1
Electrical Apparatus Maker	79	2
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	10	-
Surgical Instrument Maker	4	4
Gunsmith, Gun Manufacturer	13	-
Sword, Bayonet - Maker, Cutler	1	-
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	18	1
Type Cutter, Founder	10	-
Die, Seal, Coin, Medal Maker	1	-
Toy Maker, Dealer	4	7
Fishing Rod, Tackle, Maker, Dealer	1	-
Apparatus for other games, Maker, Dealer	4	2
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	4,398	38
Builder	223	-
Carpenter, Joiner	1,447	7
Bricklayer	1,028	3
Mason	212	-
Slater, Tiler	33	-
Plasterer, Whitewasher	220	1
Paperhanger	28	-
Plumber	222	1
Painter, Glazier	594	1
Cabinet Maker	147	10
French Polisher	26	1
Furniture Broker, Dealer	22	2
Locksmith, Bellhanger	3	-
Gas Fitter	112	-
House and Shop Fittings - Maker, Dealer	18	1
Funeral Furniture Maker, Undertaker	15	-
Wood Carver	3	-
Carver, Gilder	23	1
Dealer in Works of Art	4	-
Figure, Image - Maker, Dealer	3	-
Animal, Bird &c. Preserver, Naturalist	6	1
Artificial Flower Maker	9	9
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	536	9
Coachmaker	155	1
Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker	204	-
Wheelwright	103	1
Bicycle, Tricycle - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Others	11	-
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	62	7
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	350	3
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	158	-
Shipwright, Ship Carpenter (ashore)	159	2
Mast, Yard, Oar, Block Maker	6	-
Ship Rigger, Chandler, Fitter	18	-
Sail Maker	9	1
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	447	59
Dye, Paint Manufacture	20	3
Ink, Blacking, Colour Substance Manufacture	12	-
Gunpowder, Guncotton, Explosive Substance Manufacture	1	-
Fusee, Fireworks, Explosive Article Manufacture	15	41
Chemist, Druggist	82	1
Manufacturing Chemist	305	14
Alkali Manufacture	7	-
Drysalter	5	-
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	70	26
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	65	22
Tobacco Pipe, Snuff Box &c. Maker	5	4
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	2,745	291
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	180	20
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	4	28
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	56	16
Hop - Merchant, Dealer	1	-
Maltster	5	-
Brewer	54	-
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	85	16
Cellarman	46	2
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	53	3
Milkseller, Dairyman	145	6
Cheesemonger, Butterman	52	1
Butcher, Meat Salesman	371	6
Provision Curer, Dealer	39	5
Poulterer, Game Dealer	8	-
Fishmonger	121	7
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	53	6
Corn Miller	15	-
Baker	377	14
Confectioner, Pastrycook	124	111
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	156	11
Mustard, Vinegar, Spice, Pickle Maker, Dealer	3	4
Sugar Refiner	463	2
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	327	33
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	7	-
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	437	865
Woolstapler	3	-
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	5	4
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	9	-
Others	-	1
Silk, Silk Goods, Manufacture	16	34
Silk Dyer, Printer	7	-
Silk Merchant, Dealer	4	-
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	29	132
Cotton, Calico - Printer, Dyer, Bleacher	2	2
Cotton, Calico - Warehouseman, Dealer	1	-
Flax, Linen - Manufacturer, Dealer	3	3
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	1	13
Hemp, Jute, Cocoa Fibre Manufacture	81	325
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	8	1
Mat Maker, Seller	26	12
Canvas, Sailcloth Manufacture	1	2
Sacking, Sack, Bag - Maker, Dealer	6	50
Weaver (undefined)	4	43
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	8	3
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	1	11
Carpet, Rug Manufacture	5	1
Manchester Warehouseman	4	-
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	201	180
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	6	16
Trimming Maker, Dealer	5	17
Embroiderer	1	15
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	836	1,908
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	26	7
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	1	3
Tailor	220	161
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	19	1,342
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	19	316
Hosiery Manufacture	-	4
Hosier, Haberdasher	33	14
Glover, Glove Maker	4	9
Button Maker, Dealer	1	3
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	401	36
Patten, Clog Maker	6	-
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	88	1
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	15	9
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	3	3
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	429	75
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	47	3
Soap Boiler, Maker	78	1
Glue, Size, Gelatine, Isinglass - Maker, Dealer	4	-
Manure Manufacture	85	2
Bone, Horn, Ivory, Tortoise-shell - Worker, Dealer	10	-
Comb Maker	2	-
Others	1	-
Furrier, Skinner	60	19
Tanner, Fellmonger	2	-
Currier	29	3
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	27	11
Parchment, Vellum - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Brush, Broom, Maker	78	29
Quill, Feather - Dresser, Dealer	5	7
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	867	113
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	25	2
Oil and Colourman	92	10
Floor Cloth, Oil Cloth Manufacture	26	1
Japanner	1	-
India Rubber, Gutta Percha - Worker, Dealer	90	6
Waterproof Goods - Maker, Dealer	27	3
Others	17	-
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	33	7
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	5	-
Thatcher	2	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	65	2
Sawyer	132	1
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	16	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	25	22
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	200	-
Cork, Bark - Cutter, Worker, Dealer	13	-
Others	3	-
Paper Manufacture	8	6
Envelope Maker	1	4
Stationer, Law Stationer	61	11
Card, Pattern Card Maker	3	-
Paper Stainer	6	1
Paper Box, Paper Bag Maker	8	34
Ticket, Label Writer	3	3
Others	5	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	2,886	43
Coal Miner	10	-
Tin Miner	1	-
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	5	-
Mine Service	2	-
Coal Merchant	48	2
Coalheaver	429	3
Coke, Charcoal, Peat - Cutter, Burner, Dealer	10	-
Gas Works Service	303	3
Stone Quarrier	1	-
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	26	2
Slate Worker, Dealer	7	-
Limeburner	7	-
Well Sinker, Borer	1	-
Plaster, Cement Manufacture	4	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	92	-
Paviour	14	-
Road Contractor, Surveyor, Inspector	3	-
Road Labourer	12	-
Railway Contractor	31	-
Platelayer	128	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	204	1
Others	5	-
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	10	-
Glass Manufacture	27	-
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	15	7
Salt Maker, Dealer	2	-
Waterworks Service	16	-
Others	1	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	51	1
Others	1	-
[Iron Manufacture]	582	8
[Steel Manufacture]	6	-
Blacksmith	409	-
Whitesmith	17	-
Nail Manufacture	1	-
Anchor, Chain Manufacture	1	1
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	60	3
Other Iron and Steel Manufacture	10	-
Copper, Copper Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	3	-
[Coppersmith]	47	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	92	6
Zinc, Zinc Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	16	-
Lead, Leaden Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	7	1
Metal Refiner, Worker, Turner, Dealer	8	-
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	93	2
Metal Burnisher, Lacquerer	1	1
White Metal, Plated Ware, Manufacture. Pewterer	8	-
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	20	2
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	23	-
Lamp, Lantern, Candlestick Maker	13	-
Fancy Chain, Gilt Toy Maker	2	-
Others	1	-
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	7,373	483
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	172	127
Pawnbroker	56	1
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	92	33
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	117	4
Contractor (undefined)	24	-
General Labourer	5,609	34
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	819	-
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	293	28
Apprentice (undefined)	23	3
Factory Labourer (undefined)	140	74
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	28	179
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	38	1
Town Drainage Service	2	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	22	-
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	8	-
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	6	1
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	529	2,616
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	529	2,616
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	741	22,300
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	75	19
[Blank field, or illegible]	666	22,281

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.)

JISC Portsmouth Back to top

• ©2009-2024 University of Portsmouth and others
• About this site
• Expert search
• Web design by Headscape