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 County Durham RegC	Gateshead RegD/PLU

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	218	19
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	67	12
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	22	4
Prison Service, &c.	3	-
Police	91	-
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	30	3
Other Local or County Official	4	-
East Indian and Colonial Service	1	-
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	45	1
Army Officer (effective/retired)	1	1
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	17	-
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	6	-
Army Pensioner	13	-
Navy Officer (effective/retired)	4	-
Seaman, R.N.	3	-
Navy Pensioner	1	-
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	524	432
Clergymen (Established Church)	30	-
Roman Catholic Priest	7	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	25	-
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	7	6
Theological Student	3	-
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	8	5
Barrister, Solicitor	15	-
Law Student	1	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	34	-
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	35	-
Dentist	7	-
Medical Student, Assistant	24	-
Midwife	-	3
Subordinate Medical Service	5	47
Schoolmaster	139	298
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	6	31
School Service, and others connected with teaching	12	5
Author, Editor, Journalist	9	1
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	3	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	19	-
Civil Engineer	25	-
Mining Engineer	17	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	9	-
Painter (artist)	11	3
Engraver (artist)	1	-
Sculptor	4	-
Architect	21	-
Musician, Music Master	23	21
Photographer	13	10
Actor	1	2
Art, Music, Theatre Service	3	-
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	2	-
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	5	-
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	327	3,294
Domestic Coachman, Groom	89	-
Domestic Gardener	97	-
Domestic Indoor Servant	42	2,960
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	1	-
Inn, Hotel Servant	86	36
Office Keeper (not Government)	3	6
Cook (not domestic)	1	3
Charwoman	-	118
Washing and Bathing Service	1	164
Hospital and Institution Service	6	7
Others engaged in Service	1	-
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	1,250	49
Merchant	30	-
Broker, Agent, Factor	115	1
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	22	1
Accountant	36	-
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	4	19
Commercial Traveller	117	1
Commercial Clerk	847	27
Officer of Commercial Company, Guild, Society &c.	1	-
Bank Service	20	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	58	-
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	2,328	25
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	412	1
Railway Guard	84	2
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	13	-
Other Railway Officials and Servants	470	13
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	7	-
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	34	-
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	549	2
Tramway Companies' Service	2	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	344	-
Navigation Service (on shore)	6	1
Seaman (Merchant Service)	141	2
Ship Steward, Cook	1	-
Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service	22	-
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	47	-
Meter, Weigher	19	1
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	144	1
Telegraph, Telephone Service	33	2
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	594	105
Farmer, Grazier	93	7
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	50	-
Farm Bailiff	17	-
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	328	98
Shepherd	2	-
Land Drainage Service (not in towns)	2	-
Agricultural Machine - Proprietor, Attendant	3	-
Agricultural Student	2	-
Woodman	20	-
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	13	-
Gardener (not domestic)	64	-
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	100	-
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	16	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	44	-
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	12	-
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	5	-
Drover	4	-
Gamekeeper	5	-
Vermin Destroyer	2	-
Fisherman	11	-
Knacker, Catsmeat Dealer &c &c.	1	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	230	49
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	16	4
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	1	-
Bookbinder	37	33
Printer	142	8
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	19	3
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	15	1
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	2,184	28
Engine, Machine Maker	397	4
Millwright	71	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	1,237	3
Boiler Maker	366	1
Agricultural Machine and Implement Maker	12	-
Tool Maker, Dealer	5	-
Cutler, Scissors Maker	6	-
File Maker	10	-
Saw Maker	1	-
Pin Maker	1	-
Domestic Implement Maker	1	-
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	39	-
Philosophical Instrument Maker	4	15
Electrical Apparatus Maker	10	1
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	12	-
Surgical Instrument Maker	1	-
Gunsmith, Gun Manufacturer	1	-
Ordnance Manufacturer	1	1
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	4	-
Die, Seal, Coin, Medal Maker	3	-
Toy Maker, Dealer	1	2
Fishing Rod, Tackle, Maker, Dealer	-	1
Apparatus for other games, Maker, Dealer	1	-
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	2,362	41
Builder	57	1
Carpenter, Joiner	871	3
Bricklayer	304	1
Mason	487	1
Slater, Tiler	32	-
Plasterer, Whitewasher	55	-
Paperhanger	3	-
Plumber	192	1
Painter, Glazier	250	2
Cabinet Maker	64	21
French Polisher	13	-
Furniture Broker, Dealer	10	9
Locksmith, Bellhanger	1	-
Gas Fitter	8	-
House and Shop Fittings - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Funeral Furniture Maker, Undertaker	5	-
Wood Carver	-	1
Carver, Gilder	9	1
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	139	1
Coachmaker	25	-
Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker	23	-
Wheelwright	5	1
Others	34	-
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	52	-
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	142	4
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	76	2
Shipwright, Ship Carpenter (ashore)	60	1
Mast, Yard, Oar, Block Maker	2	-
Ship Rigger, Chandler, Fitter	3	1
Sail Maker	1	-
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	1,483	22
Dye, Paint Manufacture	2	10
Ink, Blacking, Colour Substance Manufacture	6	-
Fusee, Fireworks, Explosive Article Manufacture	1	-
Chemist, Druggist	64	4
Manufacturing Chemist	1,393	8
Alkali Manufacture	14	-
Drysalter	3	-
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	57	75
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	26	71
Tobacco Pipe, Snuff Box &c. Maker	31	4
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	1,283	353
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	164	38
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	6	60
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	7	5
Maltster	8	-
Brewer	33	2
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	12	4
Cellarman	14	-
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	11	-
Milkseller, Dairyman	31	8
Cheesemonger, Butterman	4	-
Butcher, Meat Salesman	306	9
Provision Curer, Dealer	106	76
Poulterer, Game Dealer	4	-
Fishmonger	8	8
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	19	-
Corn Miller	19	-
Baker	57	2
Confectioner, Pastrycook	22	34
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	40	18
Mustard, Vinegar, Spice, Pickle Maker, Dealer	1	-
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	394	85
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	16	4
Others Dealing in Food	1	-
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	265	168
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	1	-
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	1	-
Silk, Silk Goods, Manufacture	1	1
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	2	1
Flax, Linen - Manufacturer, Dealer	1	-
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	-	1
Hemp, Jute, Cocoa Fibre Manufacture	2	-
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	46	92
Mat Maker, Seller	1	1
Canvas, Sailcloth Manufacture	4	6
Sacking, Sack, Bag - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Weaver (undefined)	3	5
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	2	-
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	-	3
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	199	54
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	1	4
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	613	1,363
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	24	23
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	-	4
Tailor	277	21
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	2	1,204
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	1	81
Hosiery Manufacture	1	-
Hosier, Haberdasher	6	2
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	228	24
Patten, Clog Maker	14	1
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	54	-
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	5	1
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	1	2
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	76	23
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	16	-
Glue, Size, Gelatine, Isinglass - Maker, Dealer	-	8
Manure Manufacture	7	-
Bone, Horn, Ivory, Tortoise-shell - Worker, Dealer	1	-
Furrier, Skinner	-	10
Tanner, Fellmonger	7	-
Currier	23	3
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	6	-
Brush, Broom, Maker	16	1
Quill, Feather - Dresser, Dealer	-	1
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	703	62
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	9	-
Oil and Colourman	7	-
Floor Cloth, Oil Cloth Manufacture	8	-
India Rubber, Gutta Percha - Worker, Dealer	1	-
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	9	1
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	9	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	14	1
Sawyer	137	-
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	11	1
Wood Turner, Box Maker	12	1
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	403	1
Cork, Bark - Cutter, Worker, Dealer	4	-
Paper Manufacture	49	43
Envelope Maker	-	1
Stationer, Law Stationer	21	12
Paper Stainer	1	1
Ticket, Label Writer	1	-
Others	7	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	9,753	155
Coal Miner	3,670	13
Ironstone Miner	10	-
Lead Miner	1	-
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	152	2
Mine Service	37	-
[Haulier] [not in Census Report but in codebook]	1	-
Coal Merchant	68	3
Coalheaver	57	1
Coke, Charcoal, Peat - Cutter, Burner, Dealer	176	1
Gas Works Service	53	-
Stone Quarrier	269	1
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	34	-
Slate Worker, Dealer	1	-
Limeburner	5	-
Clay, Sand, Gravel, Chalk, Labourer, Dealer	3	-
Plaster, Cement Manufacture	79	1
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	257	6
Paviour	7	-
Road Contractor, Surveyor, Inspector	1	-
Road Labourer	25	1
Railway Contractor	5	-
Platelayer	110	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	123	-
Others	-	1
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	57	17
Glass Manufacture	620	37
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	5	2
Waterworks Service	4	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	12	1
[Iron Manufacture]	2,015	10
[Steel Manufacture]	20	-
Blacksmith	965	8
Whitesmith	28	-
Nail Manufacture	32	10
Anchor, Chain Manufacture	220	4
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	54	3
Other Iron and Steel Manufacture	3	-
Copper, Copper Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	10	-
[Coppersmith]	60	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	63	-
Lead, Leaden Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	22	20
Metal Refiner, Worker, Turner, Dealer	103	-
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	195	-
White Metal, Plated Ware, Manufacture. Pewterer	-	1
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	70	8
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	43	4
Clasp, Buckle, Hinge Maker	7	-
Others	1	-
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	3,774	410
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	50	100
Pawnbroker	18	11
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	95	130
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	34	1
Contractor (undefined)	18	1
General Labourer	2,593	38
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	563	-
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	218	10
Apprentice (undefined)	17	-
Factory Labourer (undefined)	105	48
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	63	71
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	23	1
Town Drainage Service	2	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	15	-
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	2	-
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	4	1
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	338	2,625
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	338	2,625
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	567	18,524
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	20	9
[Blank field, or illegible]	547	18,515

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.)