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 Lancashire RegC	Barrow in Furness RegD/PLPar

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	121	2
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	31	1
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	14	-
Police	47	-
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	25	1
Other Local or County Official	4	-
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	31	-
Army Officer (effective/retired)	4	-
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	2	-
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	1	-
Army Pensioner	4	-
Navy Officer (effective/retired)	1	-
Seaman, R.N.	13	-
Navy Pensioner	6	-
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	266	192
Clergymen (Established Church)	13	-
Roman Catholic Priest	4	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	10	-
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	4	3
Theological Student	2	-
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	5	-
Barrister, Solicitor	17	-
Law Student	2	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	20	-
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	14	-
Dentist	4	-
Medical Student, Assistant	3	-
Midwife	-	3
Subordinate Medical Service	3	40
Schoolmaster	53	121
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	3	12
School Service, and others connected with teaching	6	-
Author, Editor, Journalist	7	-
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	4	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	1	-
Literary, Scientific, Institution, Service, &c.	2	-
Civil Engineer	31	-
Mining Engineer	2	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	4	-
Painter (artist)	3	1
Engraver (artist)	1	-
Architect	6	-
Musician, Music Master	17	5
Art Student	1	-
Photographer	7	-
Actor	8	7
Art, Music, Theatre Service	3	-
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	1	-
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	5	-
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	129	1,340
Domestic Coachman, Groom	4	-
Domestic Gardener	9	-
Domestic Indoor Servant	42	1,207
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	8	-
Inn, Hotel Servant	57	29
College, Club Service	3	-
Office Keeper (not Government)	1	2
Cook (not domestic)	1	1
Charwoman	-	45
Washing and Bathing Service	2	53
Hospital and Institution Service	-	3
Others engaged in Service	2	-
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	417	6
Merchant	2	-
Broker, Agent, Factor	28	1
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	17	-
Accountant	18	-
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	1	1
Commercial Traveller	22	-
Commercial Clerk	269	4
Bank Service	20	-
Bill Discounter, Bill Broker, Finance Agent	2	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	38	-
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	1,502	7
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	109	-
Railway Guard	49	-
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	12	-
Other Railway Officials and Servants	203	1
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	5	-
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	31	-
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	93	2
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	12	-
Navigation Service (on shore)	7	-
Seaman (Merchant Service)	488	-
Pilot	12	-
Ship Steward, Cook	15	2
Boatman on Seas	1	-
Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service	388	1
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	12	-
Meter, Weigher	6	-
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	48	1
Telegraph, Telephone Service	11	-
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	295	16
Farmer, Grazier	55	1
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	18	-
Farm Bailiff	18	-
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	171	15
Agricultural Machine - Proprietor, Attendant	1	-
Agricultural Student	1	-
Woodman	2	-
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	4	-
Gardener (not domestic)	25	-
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	36	-
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	1	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	17	-
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	5	-
Gamekeeper	2	-
Fisherman	11	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	94	11
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	17	1
Bookbinder	10	9
Printer	58	1
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	2	-
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	6	-
Map and Print - Colourer, Seller	1	-
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	1,341	4
Engine, Machine Maker	241	2
Millwright	13	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	552	1
Boiler Maker	487	1
Spinning and Weaving Machine Maker	6	-
Tool Maker, Dealer	2	-
File Maker	2	-
Saw Maker	3	-
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	13	-
Philosophical Instrument Maker	2	-
Electrical Apparatus Maker	11	-
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	2	-
Gunsmith, Gun Manufacturer	1	-
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	6	-
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	1,471	28
Builder	46	-
Carpenter, Joiner	631	2
Bricklayer	177	1
Mason	127	-
Slater, Tiler	11	-
Plasterer, Whitewasher	41	-
Paperhanger	2	-
Plumber	87	1
Painter, Glazier	186	1
Cabinet Maker	100	11
French Polisher	16	10
Furniture Broker, Dealer	4	2
Locksmith, Bellhanger	3	-
Gas Fitter	21	-
House and Shop Fittings - Maker, Dealer	2	-
Wood Carver	3	-
Carver, Gilder	7	-
Dealer in Works of Art	2	-
Figure, Image - Maker, Dealer	5	-
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	130	-
Coachmaker	16	-
Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker	68	-
Wheelwright	20	-
Others	9	-
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	17	-
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	1,606	2
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	1,181	-
Shipwright, Ship Carpenter (ashore)	373	1
Mast, Yard, Oar, Block Maker	7	-
Ship Rigger, Chandler, Fitter	18	-
Sail Maker	27	1
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	21	-
Fusee, Fireworks, Explosive Article Manufacture	4	-
Chemist, Druggist	16	-
Manufacturing Chemist	1	-
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	11	3
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	11	3
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	610	178
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	54	7
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	6	48
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	7	3
Maltster	1	-
Brewer	23	-
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	20	8
Cellarman	5	1
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	8	1
Milkseller, Dairyman	19	6
Butcher, Meat Salesman	120	3
Provision Curer, Dealer	25	5
Poulterer, Game Dealer	1	1
Fishmonger	23	1
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	4	1
Corn Miller	16	-
Baker	61	7
Confectioner, Pastrycook	11	39
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	25	6
Sugar Refiner	2	-
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	166	41
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	13	-
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	208	878
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	2	-
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	2	-
Silk, Silk Goods, Manufacture	-	3
Silk Dyer, Printer	1	-
Silk Merchant, Dealer	1	-
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	1	14
Cotton, Calico - Printer, Dyer, Bleacher	2	-
Flax, Linen - Manufacturer, Dealer	11	65
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	-	1
Tape Manufacturer, Dealer	-	1
Thread Manufacturer, Dealer	-	1
Hemp, Jute, Cocoa Fibre Manufacture	79	615
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	11	-
Sacking, Sack, Bag - Maker, Dealer	2	17
Weaver (undefined)	6	61
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	12	-
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	11	69
Carpet, Rug Manufacture	2	-
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	64	30
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	1	1
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	364	561
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	6	-
Tailor	167	22
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	-	470
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	1	59
Hosiery Manufacture	2	-
Hosier, Haberdasher	3	1
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	134	8
Patten, Clog Maker	18	-
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	32	-
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	1	1
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	7	4
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	1	-
Tanner, Fellmonger	3	-
Currier	2	-
Brush, Broom, Maker	1	-
Quill, Feather - Dresser, Dealer	-	4
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	138	7
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	4	-
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	3	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	16	-
Sawyer	66	1
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	7	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	18	-
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	16	-
Cork, Bark - Cutter, Worker, Dealer	1	-
Paper Manufacture	1	2
Stationer, Law Stationer	4	3
Paper Box, Paper Bag Maker	-	1
Others	1	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	3,403	12
Coal Miner	11	-
Ironstone Miner	397	-
Lead Miner	1	-
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	7	-
Mine Service	2	-
Coal Merchant	39	-
Coalheaver	13	-
Gas Works Service	30	-
Stone Quarrier	38	-
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	2	-
Slate Quarrier	4	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	91	1
Paviour	6	-
Road Contractor, Surveyor, Inspector	1	-
Road Labourer	11	-
Railway Contractor	3	-
Platelayer	42	1
Railway Labourer, Navvy	115	-
Others	1	-
Glass Manufacture	3	-
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	5	-
Waterworks Service	1	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	4	-
[Iron Manufacture]	1,335	5
[Steel Manufacture]	546	1
Blacksmith	371	1
Whitesmith	4	-
Nail Manufacture	-	1
Anchor, Chain Manufacture	9	-
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	29	1
Other Iron and Steel Manufacture	54	-
[Coppersmith]	45	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	36	-
Metal Refiner, Worker, Turner, Dealer	7	-
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	76	-
White Metal, Plated Ware, Manufacture. Pewterer	1	-
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	49	-
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	14	1
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	2,854	129
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	23	35
Pawnbroker	13	2
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	26	7
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	83	-
Contractor (undefined)	13	-
General Labourer	2,054	12
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	381	1
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	164	16
Apprentice (undefined)	11	-
Factory Labourer (undefined)	69	48
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	17	8
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	6	-
Town Drainage Service	2	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	4	-
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	87	904
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	87	904
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	169	7,239
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	22	3
[Blank field, or illegible]	147	7,236

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.)