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 Halifax RegD/PLU	Halifax AP/CP

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	147	6
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	28	3
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	23	-
Police	62	-
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	27	2
Other Local or County Official	7	1
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	299	1
Army Officer (effective/retired)	5	-
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	248	1
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	16	-
Army Pensioner	29	-
Navy Pensioner	1	-
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	398	293
Clergymen (Established Church)	10	-
Roman Catholic Priest	3	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	20	-
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	4	2
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	13	3
Barrister, Solicitor	16	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	57	-
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	24	-
Dentist	20	-
Medical Student, Assistant	14	-
Subordinate Medical Service	8	55
Schoolmaster	65	169
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	7	20
School Service, and others connected with teaching	4	1
Author, Editor, Journalist	4	-
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	3	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	2	-
Civil Engineer	5	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	3	-
Painter (artist)	4	-
Engraver (artist)	2	-
Architect	20	-
Musician, Music Master	51	29
Art Student	8	-
Photographer	13	5
Actor	3	6
Art, Music, Theatre Service	3	-
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	4	3
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	8	-
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	250	2,146
Domestic Coachman, Groom	94	-
Domestic Gardener	56	-
Domestic Indoor Servant	27	1,824
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	2	-
Inn, Hotel Servant	49	42
College, Club Service	3	-
Office Keeper (not Government)	7	11
Cook (not domestic)	-	5
Charwoman	-	168
Washing and Bathing Service	8	90
Hospital and Institution Service	2	6
Others engaged in Service	2	-
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	584	22
Merchant	6	1
Broker, Agent, Factor	49	6
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	8	1
Accountant	22	-
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	2	4
Commercial Traveller	87	4
Commercial Clerk	332	5
Officer of Commercial Company, Guild, Society &c.	1	-
Banker	1	-
Bank Service	29	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	47	1
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	624	9
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	3	-
Railway Guard	5	-
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	8	-
Other Railway Officials and Servants	97	-
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	17	-
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	38	-
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	276	3
Tramway Companies' Service	1	-
Inland Navigation Service	1	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	3	1
Seaman (Merchant Service)	3	-
Ship Steward, Cook	3	1
Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service	1	-
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	95	2
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	63	1
Telegraph, Telephone Service	10	1
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	73	3
Farmer, Grazier	7	1
Farm Bailiff	2	-
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	48	2
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	6	-
Gardener (not domestic)	10	-
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	43	1
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	2	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	26	1
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	6	-
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	6	-
Drover	2	-
Gamekeeper	1	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	181	33
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	15	3
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	6	-
Bookbinder	25	23
Printer	116	4
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	9	2
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	10	1
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	823	25
Engine, Machine Maker	128	5
Millwright	24	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	140	-
Boiler Maker	166	2
Spinning and Weaving Machine Maker	190	13
Agricultural Machine and Implement Maker	1	1
Domestic Machinery - Maker, Dealer	3	-
Tool Maker, Dealer	34	1
Saw Maker	3	-
Needle Maker	1	-
Domestic Implement Maker	2	-
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	32	-
Philosophical Instrument Maker	10	-
Electrical Apparatus Maker	37	-
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	7	-
Surgical Instrument Maker	1	1
Gunsmith, Gun Manufacturer	2	-
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	41	2
Toy Maker, Dealer	1	-
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	1,412	62
Builder	18	-
Carpenter, Joiner	297	1
Bricklayer	31	-
Mason	346	-
Slater, Tiler	32	-
Plasterer, Whitewasher	94	-
Paperhanger	3	1
Plumber	110	1
Painter, Glazier	172	-
Cabinet Maker	194	55
French Polisher	30	2
Furniture Broker, Dealer	27	2
Locksmith, Bellhanger	7	-
Gas Fitter	4	-
House and Shop Fittings - Maker, Dealer	8	-
Funeral Furniture Maker, Undertaker	1	-
Wood Carver	16	-
Carver, Gilder	18	-
Dealer in Works of Art	1	-
Figure, Image - Maker, Dealer	2	-
Animal, Bird &c. Preserver, Naturalist	1	-
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	100	3
Coachmaker	42	1
Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker	1	-
Wheelwright	27	1
Others	6	-
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	24	1
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	3	-
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	2	-
Ship Rigger, Chandler, Fitter	1	-
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	69	1
Dye, Paint Manufacture	13	-
Chemist, Druggist	41	1
Manufacturing Chemist	6	-
Drysalter	9	-
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	48	38
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	46	38
Tobacco Pipe, Snuff Box &c. Maker	2	-
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	876	178
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	84	17
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	10	17
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	9	1
Maltster	6	-
Brewer	24	-
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	30	11
Cellarman	11	-
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	21	1
Milkseller, Dairyman	7	-
Cheesemonger, Butterman	7	-
Butcher, Meat Salesman	196	9
Provision Curer, Dealer	10	2
Poulterer, Game Dealer	1	-
Fishmonger	30	1
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	5	1
Corn Miller	18	-
Baker	50	6
Confectioner, Pastrycook	25	57
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	76	13
Mustard, Vinegar, Spice, Pickle Maker, Dealer	2	4
Sugar Refiner	1	-
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	247	38
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	6	-
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	2,641	3,401
Woolstapler	102	-
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	323	193
Wool, Woollen goods - Dyer, Printer	23	2
Worsted, Stuff, Manufacture	567	1,810
Blanket Manufacture	-	1
Fuller	2	-
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	71	3
Silk, Silk Goods, Manufacture	85	125
Silk Merchant, Dealer	1	-
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	391	529
Cotton, Calico - Printer, Dyer, Bleacher	57	2
Cotton, Calico - Warehouseman, Dealer	3	-
Flax, Linen - Manufacturer, Dealer	24	48
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	-	1
Thread Manufacturer, Dealer	-	2
Hemp, Jute, Cocoa Fibre Manufacture	4	3
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	18	1
Canvas, Sailcloth Manufacture	-	1
Weaver (undefined)	22	84
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	286	5
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	109	125
Felt Manufacture	1	-
Carpet, Rug Manufacture	405	391
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	131	43
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	12	25
Trimming Maker, Dealer	1	-
Others	3	7
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	679	851
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	13	5
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	-	2
Tailor	195	44
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	6	663
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	1	63
Hosiery Manufacture	1	-
Hosier, Haberdasher	17	7
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	332	65
Patten, Clog Maker	54	1
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	54	-
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	5	-
Accoutrement Maker	1	-
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	-	1
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	152	69
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	6	-
Soap Boiler, Maker	2	-
Bone, Horn, Ivory, Tortoise-shell - Worker, Dealer	1	-
Furrier, Skinner	2	1
Tanner, Fellmonger	4	-
Currier	28	1
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	13	13
Hair, Bristle - Worker, Dealer	1	-
Brush, Broom, Maker	95	50
Quill, Feather - Dresser, Dealer	-	4
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	206	51
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	7	-
Floor Cloth, Oil Cloth Manufacture	9	-
Japanner	1	-
India Rubber, Gutta Percha - Worker, Dealer	12	2
Waterproof Goods - Maker, Dealer	4	-
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	8	-
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	10	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	17	-
Sawyer	27	-
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	2	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	36	3
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	20	-
Cork, Bark - Cutter, Worker, Dealer	6	8
Paper Manufacture	6	6
Stationer, Law Stationer	17	5
Card, Pattern Card Maker	12	7
Paper Box, Paper Bag Maker	2	18
Ticket, Label Writer	1	2
Others	9	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	1,161	58
Coal Miner	13	-
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	2	-
Mine Service	1	-
Coal Merchant	51	4
Coalheaver	7	-
Gas Works Service	40	1
Stone Quarrier	52	-
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	32	-
Slate Worker, Dealer	1	-
Limeburner	2	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	19	3
Paviour	34	-
Road Contractor, Surveyor, Inspector	2	-
Road Labourer	15	-
Railway Contractor	1	-
Platelayer	2	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	47	-
Others	1	-
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	2	-
Glass Manufacture	1	-
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	13	3
Waterworks Service	4	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	13	-
Lapidary	1	-
Others	-	2
[Iron Manufacture]	186	1
[Steel Manufacture]	2	-
Blacksmith	105	-
Whitesmith	25	2
Nail Manufacture	4	-
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	33	2
Other Iron and Steel Manufacture	6	-
[Coppersmith]	4	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	34	1
Lead, Leaden Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	1	-
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	124	-
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	269	39
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	12	-
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	895	155
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	26	50
Pawnbroker	17	-
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	69	29
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	33	2
Contractor (undefined)	8	-
General Labourer	320	1
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	113	1
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	249	26
Apprentice (undefined)	7	1
Factory Labourer (undefined)	45	23
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	8	22
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	35	-
Town Drainage Service	3	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	17	-
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	11	-
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	4	-
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	126	1,343
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	126	1,343
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	91	5,279
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	15	9
[Blank field, or illegible]	76	5,270

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.)