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 Kent RegC	Lewisham RegD/PLU

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	521	23
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	196	20
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	90	-
Police	174	-
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	44	2
Other Local or County Official	11	-
East Indian and Colonial Service	6	1
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	126	5
Army Officer (effective/retired)	50	3
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	15	-
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	18	-
Army Pensioner	16	1
Navy Officer (effective/retired)	19	-
Royal Marines (officers/men)	2	-
Navy Pensioner	6	1
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	1,176	1,265
Clergymen (Established Church)	55	-
Roman Catholic Priest	3	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	25	-
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	13	10
Nun, Sister of Charity	-	13
Theological Student	7	1
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	21	7
Barrister, Solicitor	172	2
Law Student	19	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	126	-
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	69	-
Dentist	14	-
Medical Student, Assistant	56	-
Midwife	-	3
Subordinate Medical Service	3	363
Schoolmaster	131	499
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	41	219
School Service, and others connected with teaching	8	12
Author, Editor, Journalist	27	8
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	8	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	13	-
Literary, Scientific, Institution, Service, &c.	6	1
Civil Engineer	82	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	36	-
Painter (artist)	43	20
Engraver (artist)	8	-
Sculptor	3	-
Architect	60	-
Musician, Music Master	36	66
Art Student	19	10
Photographer	57	21
Actor	3	7
Art, Music, Theatre Service	-	3
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	2	-
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	10	-
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	753	9,142
Domestic Coachman, Groom	143	2
Domestic Gardener	229	1
Domestic Indoor Servant	225	7,846
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	3	1
Inn, Hotel Servant	106	73
College, Club Service	1	1
Office Keeper (not Government)	4	7
Cook (not domestic)	6	12
Charwoman	-	207
Washing and Bathing Service	25	970
Hospital and Institution Service	9	21
Others engaged in Service	2	1
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	2,589	75
Merchant	214	-
Broker, Agent, Factor	279	2
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	61	-
Accountant	106	3
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	9	9
Commercial Traveller	169	1
Commercial Clerk	1,347	57
Officer of Commercial Company, Guild, Society &c.	10	-
Banker	8	-
Bank Service	248	-
Bill Discounter, Bill Broker, Finance Agent	11	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	127	3
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	1,263	9
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	8	-
Railway Guard	3	-
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	2	-
Other Railway Officials and Servants	178	2
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	31	1
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	330	-
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	302	1
Tramway Companies' Service	2	-
Wheel Chair Proprietor, Attendant &c.	2	-
Inland Navigation Service	1	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	7	-
Navigation Service (on shore)	20	-
Seaman (Merchant Service)	67	-
Pilot	1	-
Ship Steward, Cook	7	1
Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service	17	-
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	86	-
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	184	-
Telegraph, Telephone Service	15	4
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	1,300	27
Farmer, Grazier	31	3
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	2	-
Farm Bailiff	12	-
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	266	8
Shepherd	1	-
Land Drainage Service (not in towns)	4	-
Others engaged in, or connected with agriculture	3	-
Woodman	2	-
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	95	5
Gardener (not domestic)	884	11
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	172	1
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	2	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	115	-
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	37	-
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	5	-
Gamekeeper	5	-
Dog, Bird, Animal - Keeper, Dealer	5	1
Vermin Destroyer	1	-
Fisherman	1	-
Knacker, Catsmeat Dealer &c &c.	1	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	181	11
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	47	5
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	5	-
Bookbinder	7	4
Printer	102	1
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	9	1
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	7	-
Copper Plate and Steel Plate Printer	1	-
Map and Print - Colourer, Seller	3	-
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	260	9
Engine, Machine Maker	85	4
Millwright	2	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	56	-
Boiler Maker	12	-
Spinning and Weaving Machine Maker	1	-
Tool Maker, Dealer	1	-
Cutler, Scissors Maker	3	-
Saw Maker	1	-
Steel Pen Maker	1	-
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	54	-
Philosophical Instrument Maker	6	1
Electrical Apparatus Maker	10	-
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	5	-
Surgical Instrument Maker	2	-
Gunsmith, Gun Manufacturer	2	-
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	10	-
Die, Seal, Coin, Medal Maker	3	-
Toy Maker, Dealer	2	3
Apparatus for other games, Maker, Dealer	4	1
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	2,710	39
Builder	188	2
Carpenter, Joiner	777	2
Bricklayer	632	2
Mason	78	-
Slater, Tiler	1	-
Plasterer, Whitewasher	197	1
Paperhanger	23	-
Plumber	187	1
Painter, Glazier	413	4
Cabinet Maker	79	22
French Polisher	7	-
Furniture Broker, Dealer	18	2
Locksmith, Bellhanger	2	-
Gas Fitter	64	-
House and Shop Fittings - Maker, Dealer	17	-
Funeral Furniture Maker, Undertaker	5	-
Carver, Gilder	12	2
Dealer in Works of Art	8	-
Animal, Bird &c. Preserver, Naturalist	2	-
Artificial Flower Maker	-	1
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	127	2
Coachmaker	40	-
Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker	1	-
Wheelwright	49	-
Bicycle, Tricycle - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Others	2	-
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	34	2
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	26	-
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	10	-
Shipwright, Ship Carpenter (ashore)	11	-
Ship Rigger, Chandler, Fitter	3	-
Sail Maker	2	-
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	95	7
Dye, Paint Manufacture	7	-
Fusee, Fireworks, Explosive Article Manufacture	5	1
Chemist, Druggist	73	1
Manufacturing Chemist	7	5
Drysalter	3	-
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	32	15
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	32	15
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	1,581	215
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	101	16
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	4	77
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	16	7
Hop - Merchant, Dealer	11	-
Maltster	1	-
Brewer	34	1
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	30	3
Cellarman	11	-
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	106	8
Milkseller, Dairyman	141	3
Cheesemonger, Butterman	23	-
Butcher, Meat Salesman	229	5
Provision Curer, Dealer	32	1
Poulterer, Game Dealer	8	1
Fishmonger	84	2
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	56	3
Corn Miller	19	-
Baker	227	20
Confectioner, Pastrycook	31	25
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	134	16
Mustard, Vinegar, Spice, Pickle Maker, Dealer	2	-
Sugar Refiner	8	-
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	268	27
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	5	-
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	359	198
Woolstapler	12	1
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	5	-
Worsted, Stuff, Manufacture	2	-
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	19	-
Silk, Silk Goods, Manufacture	14	9
Silk Dyer, Printer	1	-
Ribbon Manufacture	2	-
Silk Merchant, Dealer	18	-
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	1	-
Cotton, Calico - Warehouseman, Dealer	3	-
Flax, Linen - Manufacturer, Dealer	3	-
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	11	2
Tape Manufacturer, Dealer	1	-
Thread Manufacturer, Dealer	-	1
Hemp, Jute, Cocoa Fibre Manufacture	1	-
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	2	-
Mat Maker, Seller	1	-
Canvas, Sailcloth Manufacture	1	-
Others working and Dealing in Hemp	3	-
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	9	6
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	1	-
Carpet, Rug Manufacture	3	-
Manchester Warehouseman	11	-
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	220	153
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	3	17
Trimming Maker, Dealer	8	1
Embroiderer	2	8
Others	2	-
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	514	1,128
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	11	2
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	1	2
Tailor	157	24
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	12	958
Shawl Manufacture	1	-
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	6	118
Hosiery Manufacture	7	-
Hosier, Haberdasher	23	1
Glover, Glove Maker	3	-
Button Maker, Dealer	3	-
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	242	15
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	39	3
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	8	1
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	1	4
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	76	2
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	1	-
Soap Boiler, Maker	5	-
Glue, Size, Gelatine, Isinglass - Maker, Dealer	2	-
Manure Manufacture	1	-
Bone, Horn, Ivory, Tortoise-shell - Worker, Dealer	4	-
Furrier, Skinner	9	-
Tanner, Fellmonger	5	-
Currier	35	1
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	5	-
Brush, Broom, Maker	9	1
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	250	32
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	6	1
Oil and Colourman	46	-
India Rubber, Gutta Percha - Worker, Dealer	3	-
Waterproof Goods - Maker, Dealer	3	-
Others	3	-
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	4	5
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	3	-
Thatcher	1	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	31	2
Sawyer	29	-
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	8	1
Wood Turner, Box Maker	4	-
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	17	-
Cork, Bark - Cutter, Worker, Dealer	3	-
Others	2	-
Paper Manufacture	11	-
Envelope Maker	1	1
Stationer, Law Stationer	69	22
Paper Stainer	2	-
Paper Box, Paper Bag Maker	1	-
Others	3	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	853	18
Coal Miner	-	1
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	3	-
Mine Service	3	-
Coal Merchant	23	-
Coalheaver	24	-
Coke, Charcoal, Peat - Cutter, Burner, Dealer	2	-
Gas Works Service	148	-
Stone Quarrier	1	-
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	21	-
Limeburner	1	-
Clay, Sand, Gravel, Chalk, Labourer, Dealer	1	-
Well Sinker, Borer	2	-
Plaster, Cement Manufacture	5	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	117	-
Paviour	6	-
Road Contractor, Surveyor, Inspector	1	-
Road Labourer	18	-
Railway Contractor	2	-
Platelayer	45	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	38	-
Others	2	-
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	2	3
Glass Manufacture	6	-
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	21	2
Salt Maker, Dealer	1	-
Waterworks Service	9	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	44	1
Lapidary	1	-
Others	7	8
[Iron Manufacture]	44	-
Blacksmith	96	-
Whitesmith	40	-
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	72	3
Other Iron and Steel Manufacture	1	-
[Coppersmith]	3	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	7	-
Zinc, Zinc Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	12	-
Lead, Leaden Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	1	-
Metal Refiner, Worker, Turner, Dealer	3	-
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	14	-
White Metal, Plated Ware, Manufacture. Pewterer	3	-
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	3	-
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	1,392	163
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	77	65
Pawnbroker	10	2
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	18	14
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	22	4
Contractor (undefined)	15	-
General Labourer	1,071	5
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	35	-
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	107	48
Apprentice (undefined)	21	8
Factory Labourer (undefined)	10	1
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	6	16
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	52	2
Town Drainage Service	12	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	30	2
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	9	-
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	1	-
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	680	2,708
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	680	2,708
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	419	11,729
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	6	3
[Blank field, or illegible]	413	11,726

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.)