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	Preston RegD/PLU

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	359	19
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	60	2
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	62	3
Prison Service, &c.	28	6
Police	158	-
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	34	7
Other Local or County Official	17	1
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	1,053	2
Army Officer (effective/retired)	23	-
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	666	2
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	299	-
Army Pensioner	60	-
Navy Officer (effective/retired)	1	-
Seaman, R.N.	1	-
Navy Pensioner	3	-
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	857	613
Clergymen (Established Church)	43	-
Roman Catholic Priest	35	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	21	1
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	5	5
Nun, Sister of Charity	-	11
Theological Student	3	-
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	28	2
Barrister, Solicitor	43	-
Law Student	3	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	115	-
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	48	-
Dentist	15	-
Medical Student, Assistant	19	-
Midwife	-	3
Subordinate Medical Service	10	92
Schoolmaster	201	389
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	10	37
School Service, and others connected with teaching	4	2
Author, Editor, Journalist	15	-
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	8	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	1	-
Civil Engineer	33	-
Mining Engineer	3	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	26	-
Painter (artist)	11	1
Engraver (artist)	2	-
Sculptor	2	-
Architect	20	-
Musician, Music Master	77	47
Art Student	4	1
Photographer	19	7
Actor	16	15
Art, Music, Theatre Service	4	-
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	3	-
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	10	-
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	365	5,497
Domestic Coachman, Groom	67	3
Domestic Gardener	66	-
Domestic Indoor Servant	84	4,710
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	3	1
Inn, Hotel Servant	46	88
College, Club Service	6	3
Office Keeper (not Government)	3	14
Cook (not domestic)	1	8
Charwoman	-	295
Washing and Bathing Service	4	281
Hospital and Institution Service	83	94
Others engaged in Service	2	-
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	1,066	22
Merchant	6	-
Broker, Agent, Factor	84	6
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	55	2
Accountant	35	-
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	3	1
Commercial Traveller	144	3
Commercial Clerk	609	9
Bank Service	45	-
Bill Discounter, Bill Broker, Finance Agent	3	1
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	82	-
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	1,870	6
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	190	-
Railway Guard	55	1
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	60	-
Other Railway Officials and Servants	484	-
Toll Collector, Turnpike Gate Keeper	1	1
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	16	-
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	169	-
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	476	-
Tramway Companies' Service	2	-
Inland Navigation Service	9	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	14	-
Navigation Service (on shore)	2	-
Seaman (Merchant Service)	94	-
Ship Steward, Cook	7	1
Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service	18	-
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	48	-
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	205	1
Telegraph, Telephone Service	20	2
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	2,757	225
Farmer, Grazier	923	102
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	456	1
Farm Bailiff	20	1
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	1,024	112
Shepherd	3	-
Land Drainage Service (not in towns)	10	-
Agricultural Student	2	-
Others engaged in, or connected with agriculture	2	3
Woodman	3	-
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	14	1
Gardener (not domestic)	300	5
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	170	-
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	5	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	84	-
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	15	-
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	18	-
Drover	8	-
Gamekeeper	29	-
Dog, Bird, Animal - Keeper, Dealer	1	-
Vermin Destroyer	1	-
Fisherman	9	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	281	24
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	26	10
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	3	-
Bookbinder	16	8
Printer	193	2
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	20	4
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	23	-
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	1,280	30
Engine, Machine Maker	176	4
Millwright	41	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	291	1
Boiler Maker	137	-
Spinning and Weaving Machine Maker	477	19
Agricultural Machine and Implement Maker	10	-
Tool Maker, Dealer	2	-
Cutler, Scissors Maker	6	-
File Maker	13	-
Saw Maker	4	-
Domestic Implement Maker	-	1
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	64	-
Philosophical Instrument Maker	1	1
Electrical Apparatus Maker	20	-
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	14	-
Surgical Instrument Maker	1	-
Gunsmith, Gun Manufacturer	9	-
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	11	-
Type Cutter, Founder	1	-
Toy Maker, Dealer	1	4
Fishing Rod, Tackle, Maker, Dealer	1	-
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	2,928	43
Builder	34	-
Carpenter, Joiner	892	2
Bricklayer	353	-
Mason	387	-
Slater, Tiler	24	-
Plasterer, Whitewasher	248	-
Paperhanger	5	-
Plumber	179	-
Painter, Glazier	428	1
Cabinet Maker	218	30
French Polisher	21	2
Furniture Broker, Dealer	39	6
Locksmith, Bellhanger	5	-
Gas Fitter	15	-
House and Shop Fittings - Maker, Dealer	15	-
Funeral Furniture Maker, Undertaker	3	-
Wood Carver	3	-
Carver, Gilder	53	2
Dealer in Works of Art	5	-
Animal, Bird &c. Preserver, Naturalist	1	-
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	282	-
Coachmaker	111	-
Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker	5	-
Wheelwright	104	-
Others	9	-
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	53	-
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	73	-
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	30	-
Shipwright, Ship Carpenter (ashore)	37	-
Ship Rigger, Chandler, Fitter	1	-
Sail Maker	5	-
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	115	-
Fusee, Fireworks, Explosive Article Manufacture	1	-
Chemist, Druggist	101	-
Manufacturing Chemist	3	-
Drysalter	10	-
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	43	18
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	41	18
Tobacco Pipe, Snuff Box &c. Maker	2	-
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	2,326	725
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	276	64
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	5	88
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	12	6
Hop - Merchant, Dealer	1	-
Maltster	42	1
Brewer	121	1
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	135	27
Cellarman	8	-
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	26	1
Milkseller, Dairyman	14	7
Cheesemonger, Butterman	10	-
Butcher, Meat Salesman	325	30
Provision Curer, Dealer	205	182
Poulterer, Game Dealer	11	2
Fishmonger	84	5
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	47	4
Corn Miller	69	-
Baker	332	40
Confectioner, Pastrycook	70	124
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	78	31
Mustard, Vinegar, Spice, Pickle Maker, Dealer	1	-
Sugar Refiner	7	-
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	424	110
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	23	2
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	9,560	18,202
Woolstapler	1	-
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	19	3
Worsted, Stuff, Manufacture	7	25
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	8	-
Silk, Silk Goods, Manufacture	5	6
Ribbon Manufacture	-	1
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	8,594	17,176
Cotton, Calico - Printer, Dyer, Bleacher	51	12
Cotton, Calico - Warehouseman, Dealer	62	5
Flax, Linen - Manufacturer, Dealer	12	242
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	-	2
Fustian Manufacturer, Dealer	2	-
Tape Manufacturer, Dealer	101	1
Thread Manufacturer, Dealer	-	1
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	44	1
Net Maker	1	-
Canvas, Sailcloth Manufacture	2	-
Weaver (undefined)	57	250
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	29	6
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	258	200
Carpet, Rug Manufacture	10	34
Manchester Warehouseman	1	-
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	255	131
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	1	36
Embroiderer	-	4
Others	40	66
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	1,284	1,657
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	30	6
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	-	2
Tailor	515	70
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	8	1,299
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	4	201
Hosiery Manufacture	-	21
Hosier, Haberdasher	25	11
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	408	34
Patten, Clog Maker	208	3
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	72	1
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	10	2
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	4	7
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	178	10
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	15	-
Soap Boiler, Maker	9	-
Glue, Size, Gelatine, Isinglass - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Manure Manufacture	1	-
Comb Maker	4	-
Furrier, Skinner	2	-
Tanner, Fellmonger	26	-
Currier	41	-
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	9	-
Brush, Broom, Maker	69	10
Quill, Feather - Dresser, Dealer	1	-
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	534	56
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	8	1
Oil and Colourman	3	3
Floor Cloth, Oil Cloth Manufacture	1	-
India Rubber, Gutta Percha - Worker, Dealer	7	2
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	78	10
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	12	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	21	-
Sawyer	96	-
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	8	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	187	1
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	43	-
Cork, Bark - Cutter, Worker, Dealer	9	-
Others	2	-
Paper Manufacture	39	20
Stationer, Law Stationer	13	16
Card, Pattern Card Maker	1	1
Paper Box, Paper Bag Maker	-	2
Ticket, Label Writer	1	-
Others	5	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	2,966	141
Coal Miner	36	2
Copper Miner	1	-
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	4	1
Mine Service	2	1
Coal Merchant	133	6
Coalheaver	51	1
Coke, Charcoal, Peat - Cutter, Burner, Dealer	3	-
Gas Works Service	107	1
Stone Quarrier	137	-
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	10	-
Slate Worker, Dealer	1	-
Limeburner	5	-
Clay, Sand, Gravel, Chalk, Labourer, Dealer	2	-
Plaster, Cement Manufacture	1	1
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	265	1
Paviour	154	1
Road Contractor, Surveyor, Inspector	1	-
Road Labourer	17	-
Railway Contractor	7	-
Platelayer	78	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	232	-
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	9	3
Glass Manufacture	2	1
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	33	9
Salt Maker, Dealer	5	1
Waterworks Service	5	1
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	14	2
Others	15	97
[Iron Manufacture]	890	4
[Steel Manufacture]	4	-
Blacksmith	361	1
Whitesmith	23	-
Nail Manufacture	24	-
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	62	1
Other Iron and Steel Manufacture	4	-
[Coppersmith]	2	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	128	2
Lead, Leaden Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	1	-
Metal Refiner, Worker, Turner, Dealer	1	-
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	41	-
Metal Burnisher, Lacquerer	2	-
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	40	3
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	51	-
Lamp, Lantern, Candlestick Maker	-	1
Others	2	-
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	2,971	310
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	106	123
Pawnbroker	66	6
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	129	83
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	57	1
Contractor (undefined)	18	-
General Labourer	1,953	3
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	324	1
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	195	22
Apprentice (undefined)	17	-
Factory Labourer (undefined)	81	24
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	25	47
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	53	2
Town Drainage Service	20	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	11	-
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	10	-
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	12	2
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	398	3,321
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	398	3,321
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	238	10,362
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	26	10
[Blank field, or illegible]	212	10,352

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.)