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 Merthyr Tidvil RegD/PLU table Aberdare SubD
OCCUPATIONS. Males.
[1]
Females.
[2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY. 57 Show data context 2 Show data context
  Civil Service (officers and clerks) 9 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Civil Service (messengers, &c.) 8 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Police 25 Show data context -
  Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer 8 Show data context -
  Other Local or County Official 7 Show data context -
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY. 8 Show data context -
  Soldier and Non-commissioned officer 2 Show data context -
  Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers 1 Show data context -
  Army Pensioner 2 Show data context -
  Seaman, R.N. 1 Show data context -
  Navy Pensioner 2 Show data context -
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES). 248 Show data context 138 Show data context
  Clergymen (Established Church) 13 Show data context -
  Roman Catholic Priest 1 Show data context -
  Minister, Priest of other religious bodies 45 Show data context -
  Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher 3 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Nun, Sister of Charity - 3 Show data context
  Theological Student 10 Show data context -
  Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant 1 Show data context -
  Barrister, Solicitor 12 Show data context -
  Law Clerk, and others connected with the law 12 Show data context -
  Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner 12 Show data context -
  Dentist 2 Show data context -
  Medical Student, Assistant 10 Show data context -
  Midwife - 2 Show data context
  Subordinate Medical Service 3 Show data context 5 Show data context
  Schoolmaster 59 Show data context 116 Show data context
  Teacher, Professor, Lecturer 2 Show data context 7 Show data context
  School Service, and others connected with teaching 2 Show data context -
  Reporter, Short-hand Writer 1 Show data context -
  Civil Engineer 4 Show data context -
  Mining Engineer 27 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Land, House, Ship, Surveyor 9 Show data context -
  Painter (artist) 2 Show data context -
  Sculptor 1 Show data context -
  Architect 2 Show data context -
  Musician, Music Master 10 Show data context 3 Show data context
  Photographer 3 Show data context -
  Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service 2 Show data context -
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES. 90 Show data context 1,775 Show data context
  Domestic Coachman, Groom 18 Show data context -
  Domestic Gardener 35 Show data context -
  Domestic Indoor Servant 22 Show data context 1,534 Show data context
  Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government) 2 Show data context -
  Inn, Hotel Servant 10 Show data context 35 Show data context
  Office Keeper (not Government) - 1 Show data context
  Charwoman 1 Show data context 40 Show data context
  Washing and Bathing Service 1 Show data context 165 Show data context
  Hospital and Institution Service 1 Show data context -
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS. 173 Show data context 3 Show data context
  Broker, Agent, Factor 11 Show data context -
  Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent 5 Show data context -
  Accountant 13 Show data context -
  Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified) - 1 Show data context
  Commercial Traveller 29 Show data context 2 Show data context
  Commercial Clerk 84 Show data context -
  Officer of Commercial Company, Guild, Society &c. 1 Show data context -
  Bank Service 14 Show data context -
  Bill Discounter, Bill Broker, Finance Agent 1 Show data context -
  Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service 15 Show data context -
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES. 415 Show data context 5 Show data context
  Railway Engine Driver, Stoker 78 Show data context -
  Railway Guard 41 Show data context -
  Pointsman, Level Crossing Man 4 Show data context -
  Other Railway Officials and Servants 197 Show data context 2 Show data context
  Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic) 12 Show data context -
  Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier 33 Show data context -
  Tramway Companies' Service 1 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Inland Navigation Service 1 Show data context -
  Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman 4 Show data context -
  Seaman (Merchant Service) 6 Show data context -
  Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service 1 Show data context -
  Warehouseman (not Manchester) 4 Show data context -
  Meter, Weigher 17 Show data context -
  Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government) 8 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Telegraph, Telephone Service 8 Show data context 1 Show data context
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE. 241 Show data context 23 Show data context
  Farmer, Grazier 58 Show data context 4 Show data context
  Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew 26 Show data context -
  Farm Bailiff 13 Show data context -
  Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager 123 Show data context 19 Show data context
  Shepherd 7 Show data context -
  Land Drainage Service (not in towns) 2 Show data context -
  Woodman 2 Show data context -
  Gardener (not domestic) 10 Show data context -
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS. 70 Show data context -
  Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer 2 Show data context -
  Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker 45 Show data context -
  Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier 11 Show data context -
  Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman 9 Show data context -
  Gamekeeper 3 Show data context -
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS. 35 Show data context -
  Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian 4 Show data context -
  Bookbinder 1 Show data context -
  Printer 30 Show data context -
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS. 143 Show data context 3 Show data context
  Engine, Machine Maker 15 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine) 95 Show data context -
  Boiler Maker 20 Show data context -
  Cutler, Scissors Maker 2 Show data context -
  Watch Maker, Clock Maker 8 Show data context 2 Show data context
  Electrical Apparatus Maker 2 Show data context -
  Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer 1 Show data context -
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS. 416 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Builder 7 Show data context -
  Carpenter, Joiner 145 Show data context -
  Bricklayer 9 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Mason 142 Show data context -
  Slater, Tiler 6 Show data context -
  Plasterer, Whitewasher 28 Show data context -
  Paperhanger 1 Show data context -
  Plumber 6 Show data context -
  Painter, Glazier 39 Show data context -
  Cabinet Maker 22 Show data context -
  French Polisher 1 Show data context -
  Furniture Broker, Dealer 1 Show data context -
  Gas Fitter 4 Show data context -
  Funeral Furniture Maker, Undertaker 2 Show data context -
  Carver, Gilder 2 Show data context -
  Figure, Image - Maker, Dealer 1 Show data context -
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS. 52 Show data context -
  Coachmaker 1 Show data context -
  Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker 11 Show data context -
  Wheelwright 8 Show data context -
  Others 16 Show data context -
  Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker 16 Show data context -
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS. 4 Show data context -
  Ship, Boat, Barge Builder 2 Show data context -
  Shipwright, Ship Carpenter (ashore) 1 Show data context -
  Ship Rigger, Chandler, Fitter 1 Show data context -
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS. 24 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Gunpowder, Guncotton, Explosive Substance Manufacture 3 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Chemist, Druggist 21 Show data context -
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES. 2 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist 1 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Tobacco Pipe, Snuff Box &c. Maker 1 Show data context -
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING. 391 Show data context 151 Show data context
  Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican 82 Show data context 24 Show data context
  Lodging, Boarding House Keeper 2 Show data context 23 Show data context
  Coffee, Eating House, Keeper 2 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Maltster 1 Show data context -
  Brewer 15 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer 1 Show data context -
  Cellarman 2 Show data context -
  Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent 1 Show data context -
  Milkseller, Dairyman 6 Show data context 13 Show data context
  Cheesemonger, Butterman 3 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Butcher, Meat Salesman 61 Show data context 8 Show data context
  Provision Curer, Dealer 2 Show data context -
  Fishmonger 4 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer 1 Show data context -
  Corn Miller 1 Show data context -
  Baker 11 Show data context 17 Show data context
  Confectioner, Pastrycook 6 Show data context 4 Show data context
  Greengrocer, Fruiterer 20 Show data context 21 Show data context
  Mustard, Vinegar, Spice, Pickle Maker, Dealer 1 Show data context -
  Sugar Refiner 1 Show data context -
  Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer 166 Show data context 37 Show data context
  Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer 2 Show data context -
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS. 67 Show data context 27 Show data context
  Woollen Cloth Manufacture 7 Show data context 3 Show data context
  Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer 3 Show data context 3 Show data context
  Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture - 2 Show data context
  Weaver (undefined) 3 Show data context -
  Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined) 1 Show data context -
  Factory Hand (textile, undefined) - 1 Show data context
  Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer 53 Show data context 16 Show data context
  Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer - 2 Show data context
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS. 288 Show data context 626 Show data context
  Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture - 1 Show data context
  Tailor 133 Show data context 5 Show data context
  Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker 6 Show data context 593 Show data context
  Shirt Maker, Seamstress - 14 Show data context
  Hosiery Manufacture - 4 Show data context
  Hosier, Haberdasher 1 Show data context -
  Glover, Glove Maker 1 Show data context -
  Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer 133 Show data context 9 Show data context
  Patten, Clog Maker 4 Show data context -
  Wig Maker, Hair Dresser 10 Show data context -
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES. 3 Show data context 2 Show data context
  Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture 3 Show data context 2 Show data context
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES. 46 Show data context 3 Show data context
  Oil and Colourman - 1 Show data context
  Floor Cloth, Oil Cloth Manufacture - 1 Show data context
  Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer 6 Show data context -
  Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer 9 Show data context -
  Sawyer 23 Show data context -
  Wood Turner, Box Maker 1 Show data context -
  Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender 4 Show data context -
  Stationer, Law Stationer 2 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Others 1 Show data context -
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES. 7,154 Show data context 220 Show data context
  Coal Miner 6,056 Show data context 93 Show data context
  Ironstone Miner 9 Show data context -
  Tin Miner 5 Show data context -
  Lead Miner 1 Show data context -
  Miner, in other or undefined Minerals 47 Show data context 2 Show data context
  Mine Service 40 Show data context 2 Show data context
  [Haulier] [not in Census Report but in codebook] 318 Show data context -
  Coal Merchant 9 Show data context -
  Coalheaver 25 Show data context 2 Show data context
  Coke, Charcoal, Peat - Cutter, Burner, Dealer 3 Show data context -
  Gas Works Service 8 Show data context -
  Stone Quarrier 41 Show data context 3 Show data context
  Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer 7 Show data context -
  Limeburner 2 Show data context -
  Clay, Sand, Gravel, Chalk, Labourer, Dealer 10 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Well Sinker, Borer 9 Show data context -
  Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer 44 Show data context 87 Show data context
  Road Contractor, Surveyor, Inspector 1 Show data context -
  Road Labourer 11 Show data context -
  Railway Contractor 1 Show data context -
  Platelayer 72 Show data context -
  Railway Labourer, Navvy 58 Show data context -
  Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture 4 Show data context -
  Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer 3 Show data context 2 Show data context
  Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller 5 Show data context -
  [Iron Manufacture] 56 Show data context 1 Show data context
  [Steel Manufacture] 2 Show data context -
  Blacksmith 171 Show data context -
  Anchor, Chain Manufacture 1 Show data context -
  Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant 19 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Other Iron and Steel Manufacture 2 Show data context -
  Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer 101 Show data context 26 Show data context
  Metal Refiner, Worker, Turner, Dealer 3 Show data context -
  Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier 4 Show data context -
  Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer 1 Show data context -
  Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker 1 Show data context -
  Lamp, Lantern, Candlestick Maker 4 Show data context -
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES. 906 Show data context 34 Show data context
  General Shopkeeper, Dealer 26 Show data context 12 Show data context
  Pawnbroker 8 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller 6 Show data context 8 Show data context
  Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined) 10 Show data context 1 Show data context
  Contractor (undefined) 8 Show data context -
  General Labourer 398 Show data context 9 Show data context
  Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural) 342 Show data context -
  Artizan, Mechanic (undefined) 76 Show data context 3 Show data context
  Apprentice (undefined) 3 Show data context -
  Factory Labourer (undefined) 29 Show data context -
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS. 5 Show data context -
  Town Drainage Service 2 Show data context -
  Rag Gatherer, Dealer 3 Show data context -
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS. 115 Show data context 1,804 Show data context
  Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation 115 Show data context 1,804 Show data context
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION] 100 Show data context 4,845 Show data context
  [Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning] 14 Show data context -
  [Blank field, or illegible] 86 Show data context 4,845 Show data context

Click on the triangles for all about a particular number.

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.)