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 Glamorgan RegC	Swansea RegD/PLU

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	269	8
Peer, M.P., Privy Councillor (not otherwise described)	2	-
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	97	3
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	36	1
Prison Service, &c.	10	-
Police	82	-
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	30	4
Other Local or County Official	12	-
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	55	-
Army Officer (effective/retired)	2	-
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	4	-
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	14	-
Army Pensioner	13	-
Seaman, R.N.	10	-
Royal Marines (officers/men)	1	-
Navy Pensioner	11	-
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	667	475
Clergymen (Established Church)	26	-
Roman Catholic Priest	5	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	76	-
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	10	1
Theological Student	14	-
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	4	-
Barrister, Solicitor	36	2
Law Student	5	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	81	1
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	29	1
Dentist	11	-
Medical Student, Assistant	18	-
Midwife	-	4
Subordinate Medical Service	3	59
Schoolmaster	139	319
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	6	39
School Service, and others connected with teaching	7	4
Author, Editor, Journalist	5	-
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	3	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	20	-
Literary, Scientific, Institution, Service, &c.	5	1
Civil Engineer	36	-
Mining Engineer	25	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	17	-
Painter (artist)	6	1
Sculptor	4	-
Architect	4	-
Musician, Music Master	36	26
Art Student	-	2
Photographer	15	5
Actor	9	7
Art, Music, Theatre Service	1	2
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	4	-
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	7	1
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	264	4,683
Domestic Coachman, Groom	55	-
Domestic Gardener	45	2
Domestic Indoor Servant	92	3,942
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	3	3
Inn, Hotel Servant	41	138
College, Club Service	4	1
Office Keeper (not Government)	4	20
Cook (not domestic)	1	3
Charwoman	-	204
Washing and Bathing Service	11	351
Hospital and Institution Service	5	17
Others engaged in Service	3	2
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	1,096	17
Merchant	23	3
Broker, Agent, Factor	95	-
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	27	-
Accountant	118	-
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	1	-
Commercial Traveller	145	2
Commercial Clerk	576	10
Officer of Commercial Company, Guild, Society &c.	1	-
Banker	1	-
Bank Service	34	-
Bill Discounter, Bill Broker, Finance Agent	7	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	68	2
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	2,690	26
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	161	1
Railway Guard	68	2
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	37	-
Other Railway Officials and Servants	364	6
Toll Collector, Turnpike Gate Keeper	9	1
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	18	-
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	75	-
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	188	-
Tramway Companies' Service	16	1
Inland Navigation Service	6	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	38	-
Navigation Service (on shore)	21	-
Seaman (Merchant Service)	953	3
Pilot	45	2
Ship Steward, Cook	17	-
Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service	458	6
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	31	-
Meter, Weigher	20	-
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	143	2
Telegraph, Telephone Service	22	2
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	618	94
Farmer, Grazier	156	15
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	84	-
Farm Bailiff	27	-
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	239	66
Shepherd	1	-
Land Drainage Service (not in towns)	1	-
Agricultural Machine - Proprietor, Attendant	-	1
Woodman	5	-
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	3	1
Gardener (not domestic)	102	11
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	95	3
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	4	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	45	-
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	11	-
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	12	-
Drover	-	1
Gamekeeper	8	1
Dog, Bird, Animal - Keeper, Dealer	-	1
Fisherman	15	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	144	13
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	29	6
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	3	-
Bookbinder	11	7
Printer	86	-
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	11	-
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	2	-
Copper Plate and Steel Plate Printer	2	-
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	655	13
Engine, Machine Maker	84	3
Millwright	12	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	334	2
Boiler Maker	159	1
Agricultural Machine and Implement Maker	1	-
Cutler, Scissors Maker	1	-
Saw Maker	1	-
Pin Maker	-	1
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	40	2
Philosophical Instrument Maker	4	-
Electrical Apparatus Maker	7	-
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	5	-
Gunsmith, Gun Manufacturer	2	-
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	5	-
Toy Maker, Dealer	-	4
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	2,111	35
Builder	55	-
Carpenter, Joiner	690	2
Bricklayer	22	-
Mason	775	1
Plasterer, Whitewasher	74	-
Plumber	123	-
Painter, Glazier	242	5
Cabinet Maker	68	20
French Polisher	12	-
Furniture Broker, Dealer	9	4
Gas Fitter	15	-
House and Shop Fittings - Maker, Dealer	2	-
Funeral Furniture Maker, Undertaker	8	-
Wood Carver	3	-
Carver, Gilder	10	-
Dealer in Works of Art	1	-
Figure, Image - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Artificial Flower Maker	1	3
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	155	-
Coachmaker	37	-
Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker	35	-
Wheelwright	51	-
Others	6	-
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	26	-
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	454	2
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	33	-
Shipwright, Ship Carpenter (ashore)	258	-
Mast, Yard, Oar, Block Maker	23	-
Ship Rigger, Chandler, Fitter	77	2
Sail Maker	63	-
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	159	11
Dye, Paint Manufacture	3	1
Ink, Blacking, Colour Substance Manufacture	1	-
Gunpowder, Guncotton, Explosive Substance Manufacture	3	-
Fusee, Fireworks, Explosive Article Manufacture	2	8
Chemist, Druggist	69	1
Manufacturing Chemist	60	1
Alkali Manufacture	21	-
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	12	11
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	9	9
Tobacco Pipe, Snuff Box &c. Maker	3	2
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	1,193	500
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	251	78
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	4	63
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	5	8
Maltster	17	-
Brewer	32	1
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	17	3
Cellarman	13	-
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	15	2
Milkseller, Dairyman	22	24
Cheesemonger, Butterman	4	7
Butcher, Meat Salesman	161	40
Provision Curer, Dealer	14	3
Poulterer, Game Dealer	2	4
Fishmonger	14	15
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	16	-
Corn Miller	11	-
Baker	119	12
Confectioner, Pastrycook	47	24
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	56	75
Mustard, Vinegar, Spice, Pickle Maker, Dealer	3	-
Sugar Refiner	3	2
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	362	133
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	5	6
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	346	150
Woolstapler	1	-
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	48	5
Worsted, Stuff, Manufacture	2	-
Flannel Manufacture	1	-
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	1	1
Silk, Silk Goods, Manufacture	1	-
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	-	1
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	-	3
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	4	-
Mat Maker, Seller	1	-
Net Maker	-	1
Canvas, Sailcloth Manufacture	1	-
Sacking, Sack, Bag - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Weaver (undefined)	12	4
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	27	1
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	1	-
Carpet, Rug Manufacture	1	-
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	240	128
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	4	6
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	646	1,673
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	5	1
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	-	2
Tailor	295	64
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	1	1,507
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	-	68
Hosiery Manufacture	-	1
Hosier, Haberdasher	5	1
Glover, Glove Maker	-	5
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	273	19
Patten, Clog Maker	12	1
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	48	2
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	7	2
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	55	12
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	9	1
Manure Manufacture	4	6
Others	1	-
Furrier, Skinner	4	-
Tanner, Fellmonger	18	-
Currier	9	2
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	4	-
Brush, Broom, Maker	6	2
Quill, Feather - Dresser, Dealer	-	1
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	312	17
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	7	-
Oil and Colourman	-	1
India Rubber, Gutta Percha - Worker, Dealer	4	-
Waterproof Goods - Maker, Dealer	5	-
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	39	9
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	13	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	28	-
Sawyer	127	-
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	9	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	9	-
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	44	-
Cork, Bark - Cutter, Worker, Dealer	4	-
Paper Manufacture	1	-
Stationer, Law Stationer	13	6
Paper Box, Paper Bag Maker	1	-
Ticket, Label Writer	1	-
Others	7	1
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	9,450	638
Coal Miner	2,194	9
Ironstone Miner	6	-
Copper Miner	15	-
Tin Miner	11	-
Lead Miner	1	-
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	11	1
Mine Service	60	-
[Haulier] [not in Census Report but in codebook]	224	1
Coal Merchant	136	5
Coalheaver	90	-
Coke, Charcoal, Peat - Cutter, Burner, Dealer	18	-
Gas Works Service	39	-
Stone Quarrier	35	-
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	7	1
Slate Quarrier	17	-
Slate Worker, Dealer	2	-
Limeburner	3	-
Clay, Sand, Gravel, Chalk, Labourer, Dealer	7	-
Well Sinker, Borer	3	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	42	-
Road Contractor, Surveyor, Inspector	6	-
Road Labourer	17	-
Railway Contractor	6	-
Platelayer	85	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	113	-
Others	1	-
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	43	1
Glass Manufacture	1	-
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	13	5
Waterworks Service	4	-
Others	1	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	22	-
Others	84	-
[Iron Manufacture]	565	7
[Steel Manufacture]	509	1
Blacksmith	556	2
Whitesmith	1	-
Nail Manufacture	15	5
Anchor, Chain Manufacture	6	-
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	72	1
Other Iron and Steel Manufacture	2	2
Copper, Copper Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	1,300	10
[Coppersmith]	18	2
[Tin Manufacture]	8	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	2,325	584
Zinc, Zinc Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	579	1
Lead, Leaden Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	51	-
Metal Refiner, Worker, Turner, Dealer	76	-
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	18	-
White Metal, Plated Ware, Manufacture. Pewterer	17	-
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	3	-
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	10	-
Others	2	-
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	4,146	163
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	70	54
Pawnbroker	37	6
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	41	47
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	119	1
Contractor (undefined)	23	-
General Labourer	3,006	19
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	676	2
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	105	20
Apprentice (undefined)	6	-
Factory Labourer (undefined)	61	6
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	2	8
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	17	3
Town Drainage Service	2	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	9	-
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	2	-
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	4	3
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	481	5,765
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	481	5,765
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	347	11,959
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	27	9
[Blank field, or illegible]	320	11,950

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".

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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.)