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".

Show Greenwich RegD/PLU table Deptford St Nicholas CP/AP
OCCUPATIONS. Males.
[1]
Females.
[2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY. 31 Show data context 2 Show data context
  Civil Service (officers and clerks) 9 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Civil Service (messengers, &c.) 4 Show data context -
  Prison Service, &c. 1 Show data context -
  Police 15 Show data context -
  Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer 2 Show data context 1 Show data context
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY. 15 Show data context -
  Soldier and Non-commissioned officer 5 Show data context -
  Army Pensioner 2 Show data context -
  Seaman, R.N. 7 Show data context -
  Navy Pensioner 1 Show data context -
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES). 15 Show data context 28 Show data context
  Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher - 2 Show data context
  Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant 2 Show data context -
  Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner 1 Show data context -
  Medical Student, Assistant 1 Show data context -
  Subordinate Medical Service 1 Show data context 10 Show data context
  Schoolmaster 2 Show data context 10 Show data context
  Teacher, Professor, Lecturer - 2 Show data context
  School Service, and others connected with teaching 2 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Architect 2 Show data context -
  Musician, Music Master 2 Show data context 3 Show data context
  Art Student 1 Show data context -
  Photographer 1 Show data context -
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES. 29 Show data context 365 Show data context
  Domestic Indoor Servant 3 Show data context 205 Show data context
  Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government) 1 Show data context -
  Inn, Hotel Servant 20 Show data context 10 Show data context
  Cook (not domestic) 3 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Charwoman - 43 Show data context
  Washing and Bathing Service 1 Show data context 106 Show data context
  Others engaged in Service 1 Show data context -
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS. 34 Show data context -
  Merchant 1 Show data context -
  Broker, Agent, Factor 1 Show data context -
  Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent 2 Show data context -
  Accountant 2 Show data context -
  Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified) 1 Show data context -
  Commercial Traveller 5 Show data context -
  Commercial Clerk 22 Show data context -
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES. 328 Show data context 5 Show data context
  Railway Engine Driver, Stoker 3 Show data context -
  Other Railway Officials and Servants 9 Show data context -
  Toll Collector, Turnpike Gate Keeper 1 Show data context -
  Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic) 4 Show data context -
  Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier 49 Show data context -
  Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman 83 Show data context -
  Seaman (Merchant Service) 57 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Pilot 1 Show data context -
  Ship Steward, Cook 1 Show data context -
  Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service 84 Show data context 2 Show data context
  Warehouseman (not Manchester) 9 Show data context 2 Show data context
  Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government) 27 Show data context -
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE. 68 Show data context 21 Show data context
  Farm Bailiff 1 Show data context -
  Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager 19 Show data context 2 Show data context
  Woodman 24 Show data context 8 Show data context
  Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist 1 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Gardener (not domestic) 23 Show data context 10 Show data context
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS. 40 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker 8 Show data context -
  Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier 4 Show data context -
  Drover 17 Show data context -
  Fisherman 10 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Knacker, Catsmeat Dealer &c &c. 1 Show data context -
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS. 15 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian 1 Show data context -
  Bookbinder 2 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Printer 9 Show data context -
  Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper 2 Show data context -
  Lithographer, Lithographic Printer 1 Show data context -
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS. 181 Show data context 2 Show data context
  Engine, Machine Maker 28 Show data context 2 Show data context
  Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine) 49 Show data context -
  Boiler Maker 93 Show data context -
  Tool Maker, Dealer 4 Show data context -
  Cutler, Scissors Maker 1 Show data context -
  File Maker 1 Show data context -
  Watch Maker, Clock Maker 3 Show data context -
  Ordnance Manufacturer 1 Show data context -
  Type Cutter, Founder 1 Show data context -
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS. 168 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Builder 2 Show data context -
  Carpenter, Joiner 39 Show data context -
  Bricklayer 59 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Mason 1 Show data context -
  Slater, Tiler 5 Show data context -
  Plasterer, Whitewasher 8 Show data context -
  Paperhanger 3 Show data context -
  Plumber 8 Show data context -
  Painter, Glazier 31 Show data context -
  Cabinet Maker 3 Show data context -
  French Polisher 1 Show data context -
  Gas Fitter 5 Show data context -
  House and Shop Fittings - Maker, Dealer 2 Show data context -
  Carver, Gilder 1 Show data context -
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS. 7 Show data context 2 Show data context
  Coachmaker 2 Show data context -
  Wheelwright 3 Show data context -
  Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker 2 Show data context 2 Show data context
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS. 72 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Ship, Boat, Barge Builder 28 Show data context -
  Shipwright, Ship Carpenter (ashore) 42 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Ship Rigger, Chandler, Fitter 2 Show data context -
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS. 5 Show data context -
  Dye, Paint Manufacture 2 Show data context -
  Chemist, Druggist 2 Show data context -
  Manufacturing Chemist 1 Show data context -
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES. - 3 Show data context
  Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist - 3 Show data context
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING. 218 Show data context 32 Show data context
  Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican 26 Show data context 2 Show data context
  Lodging, Boarding House Keeper 1 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Coffee, Eating House, Keeper 3 Show data context 2 Show data context
  Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer 2 Show data context -
  Cellarman 1 Show data context -
  Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent 1 Show data context -
  Milkseller, Dairyman 14 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Cheesemonger, Butterman 9 Show data context -
  Butcher, Meat Salesman 73 Show data context 2 Show data context
  Provision Curer, Dealer 2 Show data context 2 Show data context
  Fishmonger 16 Show data context 10 Show data context
  Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer 5 Show data context -
  Baker 29 Show data context 5 Show data context
  Confectioner, Pastrycook 1 Show data context 6 Show data context
  Greengrocer, Fruiterer 13 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer 22 Show data context -
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS. 16 Show data context 19 Show data context
  Woollen Cloth Manufacture 1 Show data context -
  Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer - 4 Show data context
  Silk, Silk Goods, Manufacture - 3 Show data context
  Mat Maker, Seller 1 Show data context -
  Sacking, Sack, Bag - Maker, Dealer - 1 Show data context
  Weaver (undefined) - 1 Show data context
  Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined) 2 Show data context -
  Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer 11 Show data context 10 Show data context
  Trimming Maker, Dealer 1 Show data context -
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS. 40 Show data context 115 Show data context
  Hatter, Hat Manufacture 1 Show data context -
  Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture - 1 Show data context
  Tailor 8 Show data context 9 Show data context
  Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker - 69 Show data context
  Shirt Maker, Seamstress - 33 Show data context
  Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer 24 Show data context 2 Show data context
  Wig Maker, Hair Dresser 6 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer 1 Show data context -
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES. 30 Show data context -
  Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture 2 Show data context -
  Soap Boiler, Maker 19 Show data context -
  Glue, Size, Gelatine, Isinglass - Maker, Dealer 1 Show data context -
  Furrier, Skinner 1 Show data context -
  Tanner, Fellmonger 1 Show data context -
  Currier 4 Show data context -
  Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer 2 Show data context -
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES. 97 Show data context 49 Show data context
  Oil and Colourman 5 Show data context 2 Show data context
  Floor Cloth, Oil Cloth Manufacture 2 Show data context -
  Others 1 Show data context -
  Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker 1 Show data context 4 Show data context
  Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer 1 Show data context -
  Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer 54 Show data context 38 Show data context
  Sawyer 14 Show data context -
  Wood Turner, Box Maker 3 Show data context -
  Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender 11 Show data context -
  Paper Manufacture 3 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Envelope Maker - 1 Show data context
  Stationer, Law Stationer - 2 Show data context
  Paper Box, Paper Bag Maker 2 Show data context -
  Ticket, Label Writer - 1 Show data context
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES. 195 Show data context 6 Show data context
  Coal Merchant 3 Show data context -
  Coalheaver 6 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Gas Works Service 3 Show data context -
  Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer 1 Show data context -
  Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer 1 Show data context -
  Paviour 5 Show data context -
  Road Labourer 1 Show data context -
  Platelayer 1 Show data context -
  Railway Labourer, Navvy 4 Show data context -
  Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture 6 Show data context -
  Glass Manufacture 1 Show data context -
  Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer 2 Show data context -
  Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller 1 Show data context -
  Others - 1 Show data context
  [Iron Manufacture] 83 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Blacksmith 45 Show data context -
  Nail Manufacture 1 Show data context -
  Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant 1 Show data context -
  Other Iron and Steel Manufacture 1 Show data context -
  [Coppersmith] 15 Show data context -
  Lead, Leaden Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer 1 Show data context 3 Show data context
  Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier 12 Show data context -
  Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker 1 Show data context -
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES. 598 Show data context 74 Show data context
  General Shopkeeper, Dealer 25 Show data context 14 Show data context
  Pawnbroker 2 Show data context -
  Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller 9 Show data context 7 Show data context
  Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined) 7 Show data context -
  General Labourer 476 Show data context 7 Show data context
  Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural) 25 Show data context -
  Artizan, Mechanic (undefined) 21 Show data context 11 Show data context
  Apprentice (undefined) 2 Show data context -
  Factory Labourer (undefined) 28 Show data context -
  Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined) 3 Show data context 35 Show data context
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS. 5 Show data context -
  Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant 3 Show data context -
  Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper 1 Show data context -
  Rag Gatherer, Dealer 1 Show data context -
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS. 30 Show data context 60 Show data context
  Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation 30 Show data context 60 Show data context
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION] 47 Show data context 1,236 Show data context
  [Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning] 4 Show data context 1 Show data context
  [Blank field, or illegible] 43 Show data context 1,235 Show data context

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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".

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.)