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".

Show Herefordshire RegC table	Hereford RegD

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	187	17
Peer, M.P., Privy Councillor (not otherwise described)	1	-
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	51	6
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	37	2
Prison Service, &c.	15	2
Police	52	-
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	17	7
Other Local or County Official	13	-
East Indian and Colonial Service	1	-
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	91	-
Army Officer (effective/retired)	10	-
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	19	-
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	45	-
Army Pensioner	8	-
Navy Officer (effective/retired)	2	-
Seaman, R.N.	1	-
Royal Marines (officers/men)	3	-
Navy Pensioner	3	-
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	397	411
Clergymen (Established Church)	60	-
Roman Catholic Priest	41	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	12	-
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	2	1
Nun, Sister of Charity	-	138
Theological Student	1	-
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	9	3
Barrister, Solicitor	31	1
Law Student	1	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	48	-
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	21	-
Dentist	6	-
Medical Student, Assistant	14	-
Midwife	-	3
Subordinate Medical Service	2	31
Schoolmaster	58	134
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	10	84
School Service, and others connected with teaching	1	1
Author, Editor, Journalist	8	1
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	3	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	2	-
Literary, Scientific, Institution, Service, &c.	-	1
Civil Engineer	8	-
Mining Engineer	1	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	6	-
Painter (artist)	5	2
Sculptor	4	-
Architect	13	-
Musician, Music Master	10	11
Art Student	4	-
Photographer	8	-
Actor	2	-
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	2	-
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	4	-
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	439	3,167
Domestic Coachman, Groom	145	-
Domestic Gardener	70	1
Domestic Indoor Servant	167	2,588
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	2	2
Inn, Hotel Servant	28	59
College, Club Service	2	-
Office Keeper (not Government)	-	2
Cook (not domestic)	1	4
Charwoman	-	117
Washing and Bathing Service	4	362
Hospital and Institution Service	20	30
Others engaged in Service	-	2
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	248	12
Merchant	3	-
Broker, Agent, Factor	16	1
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	16	-
Accountant	19	-
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	3	-
Commercial Traveller	32	1
Commercial Clerk	122	10
Banker	2	-
Bank Service	24	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	11	-
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	516	9
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	33	-
Railway Guard	22	-
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	24	-
Other Railway Officials and Servants	186	2
Toll Collector, Turnpike Gate Keeper	1	-
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	9	-
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	46	-
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	56	5
Tramway Companies' Service	1	-
Inland Navigation Service	2	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	4	-
Navigation Service (on shore)	1	-
Seaman (Merchant Service)	14	-
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	2	-
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	106	-
Telegraph, Telephone Service	9	2
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	4,013	144
Farmer, Grazier	711	68
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	310	1
Farm Bailiff	76	1
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	2,509	67
Shepherd	56	-
Land Drainage Service (not in towns)	9	-
Agricultural Machine - Proprietor, Attendant	12	1
Agricultural Student	4	-
Others engaged in, or connected with agriculture	1	-
Woodman	37	1
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	38	-
Gardener (not domestic)	250	5
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	151	1
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	4	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	73	-
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	9	-
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	10	-
Drover	2	-
Gamekeeper	40	-
Dog, Bird, Animal - Keeper, Dealer	3	1
Vermin Destroyer	4	-
Fisherman	6	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	129	3
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	19	1
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	2	-
Bookbinder	8	1
Printer	95	-
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	2	1
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	3	-
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	101	7
Engine, Machine Maker	12	-
Millwright	5	1
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	30	-
Boiler Maker	5	-
Agricultural Machine and Implement Maker	10	-
Tool Maker, Dealer	1	-
Cutler, Scissors Maker	5	2
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	21	-
Electrical Apparatus Maker	3	-
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	1	-
Gunsmith, Gun Manufacturer	3	-
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	4	-
Die, Seal, Coin, Medal Maker	-	1
Toy Maker, Dealer	1	3
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	1,091	22
Builder	50	-
Carpenter, Joiner	348	-
Bricklayer	158	3
Mason	248	3
Slater, Tiler	2	-
Plasterer, Whitewasher	43	-
Paperhanger	4	-
Plumber	36	-
Painter, Glazier	118	1
Cabinet Maker	59	12
French Polisher	4	1
Furniture Broker, Dealer	2	-
Gas Fitter	9	-
House and Shop Fittings - Maker, Dealer	3	-
Funeral Furniture Maker, Undertaker	1	-
Wood Carver	3	-
Carver, Gilder	2	-
Dealer in Works of Art	-	1
Animal, Bird &c. Preserver, Naturalist	1	-
Artificial Flower Maker	-	1
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	159	2
Coachmaker	32	1
Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker	5	-
Wheelwright	92	1
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	30	-
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	3	-
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	2	-
Sail Maker	1	-
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	43	1
Chemist, Druggist	29	1
Manufacturing Chemist	14	-
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	4	2
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	4	2
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	573	121
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	105	29
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	2	25
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	1	3
Maltster	2	-
Brewer	20	-
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	12	-
Cellarman	2	-
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	12	1
Milkseller, Dairyman	5	2
Cheesemonger, Butterman	1	1
Butcher, Meat Salesman	98	3
Provision Curer, Dealer	12	3
Poulterer, Game Dealer	5	2
Fishmonger	13	1
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	10	3
Corn Miller	44	1
Baker	88	9
Confectioner, Pastrycook	7	2
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	14	10
Sugar Refiner	-	1
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	117	25
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	3	-
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	93	79
Woolstapler	4	-
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	1	1
Silk Merchant, Dealer	1	-
Cotton, Calico - Warehouseman, Dealer	2	-
Flax, Linen - Manufacturer, Dealer	-	1
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	-	2
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	3	-
Net Maker	1	-
Sacking, Sack, Bag - Maker, Dealer	1	1
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	3	1
Carpet, Rug Manufacture	1	-
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	76	71
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	-	2
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	437	697
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	3	-
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	-	2
Tailor	194	17
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	-	586
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	1	70
Hosier, Haberdasher	2	2
Glover, Glove Maker	1	3
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	215	15
Patten, Clog Maker	1	-
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	17	-
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	3	-
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	-	2
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	76	3
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	2	-
Manure Manufacture	3	-
Furrier, Skinner	17	-
Tanner, Fellmonger	25	-
Currier	22	2
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	1	1
Brush, Broom, Maker	6	-
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	161	15
Waterproof Goods - Maker, Dealer	-	1
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	18	3
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	1	1
Thatcher	2	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	11	-
Sawyer	65	-
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	7	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	9	-
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	33	-
Others	2	2
Paper Manufacture	-	1
Stationer, Law Stationer	11	7
Others	2	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	570	21
Coal Miner	6	-
Lead Miner	1	-
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	1	-
Mine Service	1	-
[Haulier] [not in Census Report but in codebook]	21	1
Coal Merchant	24	-
Coalheaver	7	-
Coke, Charcoal, Peat - Cutter, Burner, Dealer	3	-
Gas Works Service	14	-
Stone Quarrier	4	-
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	6	-
Well Sinker, Borer	2	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	57	2
Paviour	1	-
Road Contractor, Surveyor, Inspector	2	-
Road Labourer	28	-
Railway Contractor	4	-
Platelayer	52	1
Railway Labourer, Navvy	50	-
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	23	6
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	7	5
Waterworks Service	1	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	6	2
[Iron Manufacture]	7	1
[Steel Manufacture]	1	-
Blacksmith	176	1
Whitesmith	4	-
Nail Manufacture	4	1
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	40	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	13	1
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	3	-
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	1	-
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	1,491	123
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	44	62
Pawnbroker	4	-
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	16	11
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	2	2
Contractor (undefined)	3	-
General Labourer	1,273	24
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	61	-
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	45	17
Apprentice (undefined)	27	3
Factory Labourer (undefined)	8	-
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	8	4
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	16	-
Town Drainage Service	2	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	11	-
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	1	-
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	2	-
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	336	2,027
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	336	2,027
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	131	5,266
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	5	2
[Blank field, or illegible]	126	5,264

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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".

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.)