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 Poplar RegD/PLU/PLPar	Bow CP/ExP

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	227	24
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	113	10
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	45	-
Prison Service, &c.	4	1
Police	46	-
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	17	13
Other Local or County Official	2	-
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	384	-
Army Officer (effective/retired)	3	-
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	370	-
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	2	-
Army Pensioner	6	-
Seaman, R.N.	2	-
Navy Pensioner	1	-
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	341	272
Clergymen (Established Church)	7	-
Roman Catholic Priest	2	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	13	-
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	7	9
Theological Student	45	-
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	-	3
Barrister, Solicitor	11	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	58	2
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	18	-
Dentist	4	-
Medical Student, Assistant	9	-
Midwife	-	1
Subordinate Medical Service	1	65
Schoolmaster	63	149
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	4	8
School Service, and others connected with teaching	7	1
Author, Editor, Journalist	5	-
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	3	1
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	3	-
Literary, Scientific, Institution, Service, &c.	3	-
Civil Engineer	21	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	6	-
Painter (artist)	6	1
Engraver (artist)	2	-
Sculptor	1	-
Architect	7	-
Musician, Music Master	11	28
Art Student	2	1
Photographer	8	2
Actor	2	1
Art, Music, Theatre Service	1	-
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	1	-
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	10	-
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	241	1,230
Domestic Coachman, Groom	14	-
Domestic Gardener	7	-
Domestic Indoor Servant	66	886
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	11	-
Inn, Hotel Servant	111	52
College, Club Service	1	-
Office Keeper (not Government)	1	1
Cook (not domestic)	14	1
Charwoman	2	79
Washing and Bathing Service	4	208
Hospital and Institution Service	8	3
Others engaged in Service	2	-
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	918	22
Merchant	1	-
Broker, Agent, Factor	41	1
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	11	-
Accountant	23	-
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	5	4
Commercial Traveller	134	3
Commercial Clerk	658	14
Officer of Commercial Company, Guild, Society &c.	1	-
Bank Service	14	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	30	-
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	1,257	21
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	72	-
Railway Guard	38	-
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	6	-
Other Railway Officials and Servants	232	2
Toll Collector, Turnpike Gate Keeper	1	-
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	2	-
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	71	-
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	221	1
Tramway Companies' Service	2	-
Inland Navigation Service	5	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	34	-
Navigation Service (on shore)	3	-
Seaman (Merchant Service)	63	1
Pilot	1	-
Ship Steward, Cook	12	1
Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service	106	1
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	132	2
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	247	4
Telegraph, Telephone Service	9	9
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	52	8
Farmer, Grazier	5	-
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	1	-
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	15	3
Others engaged in, or connected with agriculture	1	-
Woodman	6	5
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	3	-
Gardener (not domestic)	21	-
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	60	-
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	1	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	41	-
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	12	-
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	1	-
Drover	1	-
Dog, Bird, Animal - Keeper, Dealer	1	-
Knacker, Catsmeat Dealer &c &c.	3	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	334	72
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	19	4
Bookbinder	65	53
Printer	214	15
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	5	-
Others	1	-
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	25	-
Copper Plate and Steel Plate Printer	4	-
Map and Print - Colourer, Seller	1	-
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	478	8
Engine, Machine Maker	97	1
Millwright	9	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	83	-
Boiler Maker	18	-
Spinning and Weaving Machine Maker	2	-
Agricultural Machine and Implement Maker	3	-
Domestic Machinery - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Tool Maker, Dealer	8	-
Cutler, Scissors Maker	4	-
Saw Maker	7	-
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	15	-
Philosophical Instrument Maker	23	1
Electrical Apparatus Maker	13	-
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	15	-
Surgical Instrument Maker	19	-
Gunsmith, Gun Manufacturer	74	-
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	26	1
Type Cutter, Founder	15	-
Die, Seal, Coin, Medal Maker	5	-
Toy Maker, Dealer	20	5
Fishing Rod, Tackle, Maker, Dealer	1	-
Apparatus for other games, Maker, Dealer	20	-
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	1,444	27
Builder	67	2
Carpenter, Joiner	429	1
Bricklayer	172	2
Mason	62	-
Slater, Tiler	7	-
Plasterer, Whitewasher	27	-
Paperhanger	21	-
Plumber	51	-
Painter, Glazier	200	1
Cabinet Maker	272	6
French Polisher	35	5
Furniture Broker, Dealer	9	-
Locksmith, Bellhanger	3	-
Gas Fitter	19	-
House and Shop Fittings - Maker, Dealer	5	-
Funeral Furniture Maker, Undertaker	8	-
Wood Carver	13	-
Carver, Gilder	35	1
Dealer in Works of Art	1	-
Animal, Bird &c. Preserver, Naturalist	3	-
Artificial Flower Maker	5	9
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	107	7
Coachmaker	35	-
Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker	5	-
Wheelwright	36	-
Bicycle, Tricycle - Maker, Dealer	3	-
Others	5	1
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	23	6
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	33	-
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	21	-
Shipwright, Ship Carpenter (ashore)	6	-
Ship Rigger, Chandler, Fitter	2	-
Sail Maker	4	-
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	144	56
Dye, Paint Manufacture	14	-
Ink, Blacking, Colour Substance Manufacture	23	2
Fusee, Fireworks, Explosive Article Manufacture	29	42
Chemist, Druggist	32	1
Manufacturing Chemist	42	10
Alkali Manufacture	-	1
Drysalter	4	-
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	82	10
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	68	5
Tobacco Pipe, Snuff Box &c. Maker	14	5
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	801	147
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	56	10
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	1	9
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	17	5
Maltster	2	-
Brewer	15	-
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	25	5
Cellarman	35	-
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	30	-
Milkseller, Dairyman	34	4
Cheesemonger, Butterman	31	-
Butcher, Meat Salesman	131	5
Provision Curer, Dealer	17	6
Poulterer, Game Dealer	4	-
Fishmonger	47	4
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	19	3
Corn Miller	8	-
Baker	111	10
Confectioner, Pastrycook	50	71
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	45	8
Mustard, Vinegar, Spice, Pickle Maker, Dealer	3	-
Sugar Refiner	14	-
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	101	6
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	5	1
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	274	226
Woolstapler	2	-
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	13	2
Wool, Woollen goods - Dyer, Printer	2	-
Worsted, Stuff, Manufacture	1	-
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	12	-
Silk, Silk Goods, Manufacture	28	52
Silk Dyer, Printer	1	-
Silk Merchant, Dealer	1	-
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	2	3
Flax, Linen - Manufacturer, Dealer	1	-
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	2	2
Hemp, Jute, Cocoa Fibre Manufacture	-	4
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	43	5
Mat Maker, Seller	3	3
Net Maker	-	2
Sacking, Sack, Bag - Maker, Dealer	3	6
Others working and Dealing in Hemp	-	2
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	33	4
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	3	4
Felt Manufacture	9	2
Carpet, Rug Manufacture	5	-
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	91	41
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	8	21
Trimming Maker, Dealer	11	63
Embroiderer	-	10
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	617	1,022
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	10	6
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	2	5
Tailor	106	168
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	20	532
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	9	131
Hosiery Manufacture	-	3
Hosier, Haberdasher	9	39
Glover, Glove Maker	1	2
Button Maker, Dealer	11	13
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	373	103
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	23	2
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	50	16
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	3	2
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	185	83
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	7	2
Soap Boiler, Maker	23	-
Glue, Size, Gelatine, Isinglass - Maker, Dealer	2	-
Manure Manufacture	3	-
Bone, Horn, Ivory, Tortoise-shell - Worker, Dealer	15	2
Comb Maker	-	2
Furrier, Skinner	18	26
Currier	21	1
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	13	2
Hair, Bristle - Worker, Dealer	3	2
Brush, Broom, Maker	75	36
Quill, Feather - Dresser, Dealer	5	10
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	490	139
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	12	-
Oil and Colourman	33	2
Floor Cloth, Oil Cloth Manufacture	21	-
Japanner	1	-
India Rubber, Gutta Percha - Worker, Dealer	7	3
Waterproof Goods - Maker, Dealer	10	6
Others	3	-
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	5	1
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	1	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	49	3
Sawyer	51	-
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	7	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	36	44
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	78	-
Cork, Bark - Cutter, Worker, Dealer	13	1
Paper Manufacture	22	2
Envelope Maker	3	7
Stationer, Law Stationer	64	9
Card, Pattern Card Maker	2	-
Paper Stainer	41	5
Paper Box, Paper Bag Maker	21	52
Ticket, Label Writer	5	3
Others	5	1
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	488	17
Coal Miner	1	1
Ironstone Miner	-	5
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	3	-
Mine Service	1	-
Coal Merchant	15	1
Coalheaver	21	-
Coke, Charcoal, Peat - Cutter, Burner, Dealer	1	-
Gas Works Service	26	-
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	7	-
Slate Worker, Dealer	4	-
Well Sinker, Borer	4	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	9	-
Paviour	9	1
Road Labourer	1	-
Railway Contractor	1	-
Platelayer	20	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	24	-
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	6	1
Glass Manufacture	14	4
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	12	1
Waterworks Service	8	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	38	1
Gold, Silver, Beater	2	-
Others	1	-
[Iron Manufacture]	42	-
[Steel Manufacture]	1	-
Blacksmith	66	-
Whitesmith	5	-
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	21	-
Other Iron and Steel Manufacture	5	-
[Coppersmith]	13	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	44	-
Zinc, Zinc Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	6	-
Lead, Leaden Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	2	-
Metal Refiner, Worker, Turner, Dealer	4	-
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	37	-
White Metal, Plated Ware, Manufacture. Pewterer	5	-
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	6	2
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	1	-
Others	2	-
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	990	318
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	58	32
Pawnbroker	29	1
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	17	4
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	15	1
Contractor (undefined)	5	-
General Labourer	665	4
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	103	1
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	37	15
Apprentice (undefined)	-	1
Factory Labourer (undefined)	55	22
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	6	237
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	27	1
Town Drainage Service	4	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	12	1
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	8	-
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	3	-
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	174	593
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	174	593
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	159	6,028
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	8	9
[Blank field, or illegible]	151	6,019

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.)