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 Essex RegC	Colchester RegD/PLU

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	116	5
Peer, M.P., Privy Councillor (not otherwise described)	1	-
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	38	2
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	19	1
Police	40	-
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	10	2
Other Local or County Official	8	-
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	1,979	2
Army Officer (effective/retired)	93	-
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	1,853	2
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	6	-
Army Pensioner	23	-
Navy Pensioner	4	-
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	267	272
Clergymen (Established Church)	18	-
Roman Catholic Priest	2	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	8	-
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	2	3
Theological Student	1	-
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	3	1
Barrister, Solicitor	19	-
Law Student	1	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	54	-
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	15	-
Dentist	4	-
Medical Student, Assistant	5	-
Midwife	-	5
Subordinate Medical Service	2	83
Schoolmaster	43	96
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	8	59
School Service, and others connected with teaching	-	4
Author, Editor, Journalist	5	-
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	1	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	1	-
Literary, Scientific, Institution, Service, &c.	1	1
Civil Engineer	4	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	2	-
Painter (artist)	3	1
Engraver (artist)	1	-
Sculptor	1	-
Architect	15	-
Musician, Music Master	23	15
Art Student	3	1
Photographer	13	1
Actor	2	2
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	7	-
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	208	1,731
Domestic Coachman, Groom	49	-
Domestic Gardener	22	-
Domestic Indoor Servant	73	1,378
Inn, Hotel Servant	39	25
College, Club Service	3	-
Office Keeper (not Government)	-	1
Cook (not domestic)	4	-
Charwoman	-	72
Washing and Bathing Service	7	248
Hospital and Institution Service	11	6
Others engaged in Service	-	1
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	210	5
Merchant	6	-
Broker, Agent, Factor	12	-
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	10	-
Accountant	2	-
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	2	-
Commercial Traveller	22	1
Commercial Clerk	120	4
Officer of Commercial Company, Guild, Society &c.	1	-
Banker	3	-
Bank Service	22	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	10	-
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	528	5
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	25	-
Railway Guard	11	-
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	3	-
Other Railway Officials and Servants	79	-
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	10	1
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	43	-
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	147	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	5	-
Navigation Service (on shore)	3	-
Seaman (Merchant Service)	52	-
Ship Steward, Cook	1	-
Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service	4	-
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	7	1
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	137	2
Telegraph, Telephone Service	1	1
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	514	4
Farmer, Grazier	32	2
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	11	-
Farm Bailiff	6	-
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	264	2
Shepherd	11	-
Land Drainage Service (not in towns)	1	-
Agricultural Machine - Proprietor, Attendant	2	-
Others engaged in, or connected with agriculture	3	-
Woodman	3	-
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	10	-
Gardener (not domestic)	171	-
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	121	1
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	2	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	90	1
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	9	-
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	4	-
Drover	8	-
Gamekeeper	5	-
Vermin Destroyer	2	-
Fisherman	1	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	84	9
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	16	7
Bookbinder	8	-
Printer	55	-
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	5	2
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	212	8
Engine, Machine Maker	35	4
Millwright	9	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	78	-
Boiler Maker	35	-
Agricultural Machine and Implement Maker	2	-
Tool Maker, Dealer	1	-
Cutler, Scissors Maker	10	-
[Others]	1	-
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	26	-
Electrical Apparatus Maker	3	-
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	1	-
Gunsmith, Gun Manufacturer	5	-
Ordnance Manufacturer	1	-
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	5	-
Toy Maker, Dealer	-	4
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	883	11
Builder	36	1
Carpenter, Joiner	209	-
Bricklayer	297	1
Mason	59	-
Plasterer, Whitewasher	1	-
Paperhanger	3	-
Plumber	28	1
Painter, Glazier	122	-
Cabinet Maker	86	6
French Polisher	12	-
Furniture Broker, Dealer	5	2
Locksmith, Bellhanger	1	-
Gas Fitter	15	-
Carver, Gilder	4	-
Dealer in Works of Art	1	-
Animal, Bird &c. Preserver, Naturalist	4	-
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	93	1
Coachmaker	50	-
Wheelwright	15	-
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	28	1
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	14	-
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	1	-
Shipwright, Ship Carpenter (ashore)	12	-
Sail Maker	1	-
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	32	2
Chemist, Druggist	28	2
Manufacturing Chemist	4	-
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	14	3
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	8	3
Tobacco Pipe, Snuff Box &c. Maker	6	-
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	634	69
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	76	11
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	-	20
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	3	-
Maltster	36	-
Brewer	48	1
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	12	6
Cellarman	5	-
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	20	2
Milkseller, Dairyman	15	3
Butcher, Meat Salesman	87	3
Provision Curer, Dealer	3	1
Poulterer, Game Dealer	5	1
Fishmonger	16	-
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	16	-
Corn Miller	21	-
Baker	112	8
Confectioner, Pastrycook	27	8
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	18	3
Sugar Refiner	1	-
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	102	2
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	11	-
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	95	149
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	-	2
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	1	-
Silk, Silk Goods, Manufacture	5	57
Crepe, Gauze Manufacture	-	1
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Net Maker	1	-
Sacking, Sack, Bag - Maker, Dealer	-	1
Weaver (undefined)	-	3
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	1	2
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	-	1
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	85	78
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	1	4
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	571	1,472
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	7	1
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	-	2
Tailor	174	803
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	1	465
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	1	123
Hosiery Manufacture	1	-
Hosier, Haberdasher	3	1
Glover, Glove Maker	3	4
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	359	71
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	18	-
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	3	1
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	1	1
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	33	2
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	3	-
Furrier, Skinner	1	1
Tanner, Fellmonger	1	-
Currier	26	-
Hair, Bristle - Worker, Dealer	-	1
Brush, Broom, Maker	2	-
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	122	8
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Oil and Colourman	9	-
Japanner	2	-
India Rubber, Gutta Percha - Worker, Dealer	1	-
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	8	5
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	2	-
Thatcher	1	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	14	-
Sawyer	34	-
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	6	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	6	-
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	25	-
Cork, Bark - Cutter, Worker, Dealer	2	-
Paper Manufacture	1	-
Stationer, Law Stationer	6	3
Others	4	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	453	4
Coal Miner	3	-
Coal Merchant	19	1
Coalheaver	43	-
Gas Works Service	19	-
Stone Quarrier	1	-
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	7	-
Limeburner	1	-
Well Sinker, Borer	1	-
Plaster, Cement Manufacture	1	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	53	-
Paviour	3	-
Road Labourer	6	-
Railway Contractor	1	-
Platelayer	15	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	14	-
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	2	-
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	4	1
Waterworks Service	3	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	7	-
[Iron Manufacture]	95	1
Blacksmith	67	-
Whitesmith	19	-
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	50	1
[Coppersmith]	3	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	10	-
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	3	-
Metal Burnisher, Lacquerer	1	-
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	2	-
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	764	222
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	52	62
Pawnbroker	6	-
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	79	15
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	9	-
Contractor (undefined)	4	-
General Labourer	513	3
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	33	-
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	53	13
Apprentice (undefined)	3	2
Factory Labourer (undefined)	6	14
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	6	113
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	16	-
Town Drainage Service	2	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	10	-
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	4	-
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	195	996
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	195	996
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	152	3,327
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	4	2
[Blank field, or illegible]	148	3,325

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.)