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	Cardiff RegD/PLU

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	455	14
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	196	9
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	52	1
Prison Service, &c.	13	1
Police	139	-
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	40	2
Other Local or County Official	15	1
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	307	3
Army Officer (effective/retired)	17	3
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	164	-
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	34	-
Army Pensioner	23	-
Navy Officer (effective/retired)	5	-
Seaman, R.N.	53	-
Royal Marines (officers/men)	3	-
Navy Pensioner	8	-
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	845	679
Clergymen (Established Church)	53	-
Roman Catholic Priest	8	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	56	-
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	12	3
Nun, Sister of Charity	-	5
Theological Student	21	-
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	11	6
Barrister, Solicitor	55	-
Law Student	4	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	94	-
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	43	-
Dentist	7	-
Medical Student, Assistant	8	1
Midwife	-	10
Subordinate Medical Service	11	179
Schoolmaster	133	363
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	10	50
School Service, and others connected with teaching	5	5
Author, Editor, Journalist	15	-
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	6	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	4	-
Literary, Scientific, Institution, Service, &c.	3	-
Civil Engineer	71	-
Mining Engineer	27	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	19	-
Painter (artist)	13	3
Engraver (artist)	3	-
Sculptor	7	-
Architect	34	-
Musician, Music Master	44	35
Art Student	3	6
Photographer	22	1
Actor	13	11
Art, Music, Theatre Service	5	-
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	3	1
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	22	-
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	487	5,833
Domestic Coachman, Groom	77	-
Domestic Gardener	93	1
Domestic Indoor Servant	201	4,736
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	5	1
Inn, Hotel Servant	78	185
College, Club Service	7	-
Office Keeper (not Government)	5	22
Cook (not domestic)	3	10
Charwoman	1	276
Washing and Bathing Service	7	569
Hospital and Institution Service	5	23
Others engaged in Service	5	10
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	1,613	26
Merchant	26	-
Broker, Agent, Factor	184	4
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	40	-
Accountant	141	2
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	5	2
Commercial Traveller	212	2
Commercial Clerk	884	16
Officer of Commercial Company, Guild, Society &c.	8	-
Banker	3	-
Bank Service	48	-
Bill Discounter, Bill Broker, Finance Agent	3	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	59	-
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	6,032	38
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	240	2
Railway Guard	154	-
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	37	-
Other Railway Officials and Servants	688	3
Toll Collector, Turnpike Gate Keeper	2	4
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	36	-
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	209	-
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	110	1
Tramway Companies' Service	31	-
Inland Navigation Service	14	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	151	-
Navigation Service (on shore)	53	-
Seaman (Merchant Service)	3,028	8
Pilot	180	-
Ship Steward, Cook	108	1
Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service	650	5
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	61	3
Meter, Weigher	24	-
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	223	1
Telegraph, Telephone Service	33	10
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	1,860	83
Farmer, Grazier	347	36
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	247	2
Farm Bailiff	105	1
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	859	34
Shepherd	14	-
Agricultural Student	1	-
Woodman	27	-
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	7	-
Gardener (not domestic)	253	10
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	184	1
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	4	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	109	-
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	7	1
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	15	-
Drover	10	-
Gamekeeper	22	-
Fisherman	16	-
Knacker, Catsmeat Dealer &c &c.	1	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	277	51
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	24	8
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	1	2
Bookbinder	23	32
Printer	200	8
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	16	1
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	13	-
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	1,115	8
Engine, Machine Maker	152	3
Millwright	10	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	456	-
Boiler Maker	373	3
Agricultural Machine and Implement Maker	1	-
Cutler, Scissors Maker	6	-
File Maker	9	-
Saw Maker	3	-
Pin Maker	2	-
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	49	-
Philosophical Instrument Maker	10	-
Electrical Apparatus Maker	16	-
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	6	-
Gunsmith, Gun Manufacturer	4	-
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	8	1
Toy Maker, Dealer	3	1
Fishing Rod, Tackle, Maker, Dealer	2	-
Apparatus for other games, Maker, Dealer	5	-
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	3,574	24
Builder	125	3
Carpenter, Joiner	1,302	3
Bricklayer	103	-
Mason	1,038	2
Slater, Tiler	7	-
Plasterer, Whitewasher	227	-
Paperhanger	7	-
Plumber	113	-
Painter, Glazier	413	1
Cabinet Maker	97	14
French Polisher	18	-
Furniture Broker, Dealer	13	1
Locksmith, Bellhanger	4	-
Gas Fitter	56	-
House and Shop Fittings - Maker, Dealer	12	-
Funeral Furniture Maker, Undertaker	8	-
Wood Carver	6	-
Carver, Gilder	16	-
Dealer in Works of Art	3	-
Figure, Image - Maker, Dealer	2	-
Animal, Bird &c. Preserver, Naturalist	3	-
Artificial Flower Maker	1	-
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	243	2
Coachmaker	57	-
Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker	35	1
Wheelwright	71	-
Others	41	-
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	39	1
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	850	2
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	108	-
Shipwright, Ship Carpenter (ashore)	504	1
Mast, Yard, Oar, Block Maker	16	-
Ship Rigger, Chandler, Fitter	143	1
Sail Maker	79	-
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	102	6
Dye, Paint Manufacture	11	2
Chemist, Druggist	73	4
Manufacturing Chemist	13	-
Alkali Manufacture	5	-
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	13	14
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	13	14
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	1,669	418
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	242	51
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	38	102
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	20	11
Maltster	10	-
Brewer	65	-
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	15	2
Cellarman	28	-
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	16	-
Milkseller, Dairyman	50	24
Cheesemonger, Butterman	6	-
Butcher, Meat Salesman	276	11
Provision Curer, Dealer	36	-
Poulterer, Game Dealer	3	4
Fishmonger	36	5
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	29	1
Corn Miller	36	2
Baker	243	19
Confectioner, Pastrycook	41	35
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	93	46
Mustard, Vinegar, Spice, Pickle Maker, Dealer	3	-
Sugar Refiner	8	2
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	370	101
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	5	2
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	370	179
Woolstapler	1	-
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	8	1
Wool, Woollen goods - Dyer, Printer	1	-
Worsted, Stuff, Manufacture	1	-
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	3	2
Silk, Silk Goods, Manufacture	-	2
Silk Merchant, Dealer	3	-
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	-	2
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	-	7
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	15	-
Mat Maker, Seller	4	1
Sacking, Sack, Bag - Maker, Dealer	3	-
Others working and Dealing in Hemp	1	-
Weaver (undefined)	4	1
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	15	13
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	1	1
Carpet, Rug Manufacture	1	-
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	300	136
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	6	13
Others	3	-
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	815	1,786
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	11	2
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	-	2
Tailor	350	141
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	2	1,472
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	2	138
Hosiery Manufacture	-	2
Hosier, Haberdasher	10	2
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	375	20
Patten, Clog Maker	1	-
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	57	2
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	7	4
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	-	1
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	47	4
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	4	-
Soap Boiler, Maker	1	-
Manure Manufacture	1	-
Others	1	-
Furrier, Skinner	2	-
Tanner, Fellmonger	9	-
Currier	18	1
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	7	-
Brush, Broom, Maker	4	-
Quill, Feather - Dresser, Dealer	-	3
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	444	74
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	2	-
Oil and Colourman	1	-
Floor Cloth, Oil Cloth Manufacture	1	-
India Rubber, Gutta Percha - Worker, Dealer	7	-
Waterproof Goods - Maker, Dealer	2	-
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	37	2
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	21	1
Thatcher	11	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	79	2
Sawyer	119	-
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	15	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	15	-
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	31	1
Cork, Bark - Cutter, Worker, Dealer	2	-
Others	3	-
Paper Manufacture	74	39
Stationer, Law Stationer	18	20
Paper Box, Paper Bag Maker	1	9
Others	5	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	3,911	68
Coal Miner	461	2
Ironstone Miner	43	1
Copper Miner	1	-
Lead Miner	1	-
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	5	-
Mine Service	64	-
[Haulier] [not in Census Report but in codebook]	226	1
Coal Merchant	224	4
Coalheaver	654	1
Coke, Charcoal, Peat - Cutter, Burner, Dealer	4	-
Gas Works Service	44	-
Stone Quarrier	29	-
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	27	-
Slate Quarrier	23	-
Slate Worker, Dealer	14	-
Limeburner	16	-
Clay, Sand, Gravel, Chalk, Labourer, Dealer	2	2
Plaster, Cement Manufacture	4	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	70	1
Paviour	4	-
Road Contractor, Surveyor, Inspector	6	-
Road Labourer	26	-
Railway Contractor	8	-
Platelayer	170	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	150	-
Others	1	-
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	12	-
Glass Manufacture	6	-
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	18	9
Waterworks Service	10	-
Others	2	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	25	3
[Iron Manufacture]	439	3
[Steel Manufacture]	11	-
Blacksmith	643	-
Nail Manufacture	5	-
Anchor, Chain Manufacture	4	-
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	103	1
Other Iron and Steel Manufacture	4	-
Copper, Copper Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	64	-
[Coppersmith]	28	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	200	40
Metal Refiner, Worker, Turner, Dealer	4	-
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	23	-
White Metal, Plated Ware, Manufacture. Pewterer	2	-
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	24	-
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	6	-
Others	1	-
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	5,646	310
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	103	89
Pawnbroker	35	7
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	60	142
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	278	4
Contractor (undefined)	26	-
General Labourer	3,991	33
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	642	1
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	281	13
Apprentice (undefined)	80	3
Factory Labourer (undefined)	126	4
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	24	14
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	39	1
Town Drainage Service	7	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	23	-
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	5	-
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	4	1
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	572	4,878
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	572	4,878
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	621	15,221
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	54	33
[Blank field, or illegible]	567	15,188

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.)