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Occupations Explained

Acatersupplied food provisions, e.g. a ships chandler
Accipitraryfalconer
AccomptantAccountant
Accoucheur / Accoucheusassisted women in childbirth
Accountrement Maker / Accoutresupplier of military accessories
Ackerman / Acremanploughman, an oxherder
Actuarykept public accounts of business
Administratordirected the affairs of another
Advertisement Conveyancersandwich board man
Advocate DeputeScottish law officer who could act a public prosecutor
Advoweenormally a nobleman, who had the right to present a clergyman to a benefice
Aeronautballoonist or a trapeze artist in the circus or music halls
Affeerorofficial in the manorial courts who assessed the monetary penalty and also collected taxes and dues and were also called Assessor
Agisterofficial of the Royal Forests or in the New Forest it is the title for the one in charge of the ponies
Alabastererworked with alabaster
Alblasterecrossbow man
Alchemistmedieval chemist who claimed to be able to turn base metals into gold
Aldermansenior councilor one position down from Mayor in the local council
Ale-Conner / Ale Founderofficial who tested quality and measure of ale served in public houses
Ale Draperseller of ale
Ale Tastertested ale and beer for quality first recorded in 1377 in London. Appointed by the Manor and forerunner of the Inspector for Weights & Measures
Ale Tunneremployed by the brewery to fill ale casks (tuns} with ale
Alewifewoman who keeps an alehouse or tavern
All Spicename for a grocer
Almanac Manofficial appointed by the Court of Sewers who warned the inhabitants of the Trent River area of higher than normal tides
Almonergave out alms or charity to the poor on behalf of the parish
Almsmanreceived alms
Alnager / Aulnagerofficial who examined the quality of woolen goods and stamped them with the town seal of approval
AmanuensisSecretary or stenographer
Amber Cuttercut ambergris
Amber & Jet Cuttercut and polished amber for jewelry
Amblerofficer of the Royal Stable who broke in horses
Amen Manparish clerk
Anchor Smithmade anchors
Anchoressfemale hermit or religious recluse
Anchoritemale hermit or religious recluse
Anilepmansmallholder (tenant of the manor)
Angle Iron Smithmade angle iron i.e. flat iron bars bent at right angles lengthways
Ankle Beateryoung person who helped to drive the cattle to market
Annatto Makerworked in the manufacture of dyes for paint or printing
Antigropelos Makermade waterproof leggings
Anvil Smithmade anvils and hammers for blacksmiths
Apiarianbeekeeper
Apothecaryprepared and sold medicines or drugs; pharmacist
Apparitorofficial who summoned witnesses in the ecclesiastical courts
Apprenticewas bound to a skilled worker for a specified time to learn a trade
Aproneerterm used in London for a shopkeeper
Apronmanmechanic
Aquarius (EWAR)waterman
Aquavita Sellersold alcohol
Archiatorphysician
Archil Makermade a violet dye from lichens, used in the textile industry
Arkwrightskilled craftsman who produced "arks" (wooden chests or coffers)
Armigersquire who carried the armour of a knight
Armourermade suits of armour or plates of armour for buildings or ships etc.
ArtificerA soldier mechanic who does repairs
Ashmandustman
Assayerdetermined the proportions of metal in ore
Assay Masterdetermined the amount of gold or silver to go in coins
Auger Makermade the carpenters augers (used for boring holes in wood)
Aurifabergoldsmith
Avenator (Plantifene)hay and forage merchant
Avowryterm for the lord of the manor
Axel Tree Maker / Axel Tree Turnermade axles for coaches and wagons
Backmakermade "backs", vats, tubs, a Cooper
Backmann / Backster / Baxter / Beck / Beckerbaker
Back’us Boykitchen servant (from "back of the house")
Back Washeremployed to clean the wool in the worsted manufacturing industry
Badgerlicensed pauper who wore a badge with the letter P on it and could only work in a defined area (the term "Badgering comes from this"). A corn miller or dealer or an itinerant food trader
Badgy Fiddlerboy trumpeter in the military
Bagmantravelling salesman
Bagniokeeperin charge of a bath house or brothel
Bailiff / Bailie / Baillie / Bailleeofficer of the sheriff, a land steward acting on behalf of the Landowner or Landlord and in Scotland a magistrate of the burgh, also looked after the fishing rights on certain rivers
Bairman / Baremanpauper or beggar
Balerbales hay and in the mills one who bailed wool or cotton goods
Balisterarcher most commonly a crossbowman
Ballast Heaverloaded ballast into the hold of empty ships
Ballard Masterin charge of loading the ballast into the hold of empty ships
Baller / Baler Upassisted the potter by measuring out the balls of clay
Bal Maidenfemale mine worker who worked on the surface (also a Pit Brow Lass)
Band Filermetal worker in the gun making industry
Bandsterbound the wheat sheaves after harvest
Bang Beggarofficer of the parish who controlled the length of stay of any stranger to the parish
Bankerdug trenches and ditches to allow drainage of the land, placing the surplus earth in banks around the edge
Banksmanemployed in the mining industry being in charge of the cages at the pit head (sometimes known as a bank manager)
Barber / Barber Surgeona barber also a surgeon (an Act was passed that limited Barbers to hair-cutting, shaving, dentistry and bloodletting in the 18th century)
Bardpoet or minstrel
Baremanbeggar or pauper
Bargee / Bargemanworked on or owned and operated a barge
Barge MateNaval officer
Barilla Manufacturermade barilla, a substance obtained from burning saltworts, the resulting mixture of sodium salts being used in the glass and ceramics industry
Barkeeperanother name for a tollkeeper
Barkertanner
Bauerfarmer
BaxterBaker
Belhostetavern keeper.
Barotonerin charge of the monastic farm, also known as a barton
Basil Workerworked with sheep and goat skins
Basketmanmade baskets and furniture from wicker, and also employed to empty the basket of coal being offloaded from the colliers into the barges
Bass / Bast Dresseremployed in dressing fibre or matting
Bathing Machine Proprietorowned and hired the changing huts used at the seaside in the by bathers
Batmanofficer’s servant in the army
Batt Makermade the wadding used in quilt and mattress making
Batter Outsliced a short cylinder of clay (a bat) from a "pug" and threw it onto a mold shaped for the face of a ceramic plate
Battledore Makermade the beaters used on clothes carpets etc to remove the dust (later made the paddles used in washing machines)
Bayweaverwho wove bay (a fine woolen fabric also known as baize)
Beadle / Bedel / Bedellofficer of the parish whose principle duty was to keep order, also was the town crier
Beadman / Beadsman / Bedesmanemployed to pray for his employer, inhabitant of an almshouse / poorhouse / hospital or tenant employed by the manor for a specific service
Bead Pierceremployed to drill the holes in beads
Beamerwinds the warp on the roller before putting it on the loom in the textile industry
Bearerworked underground carrying the coal to the bottom of the pit shaft and placed it in the containers for uplifting to the surface
Beatercleansed and thickened the cloth by treading it underwater with fuller's earth (fuller’s earth is any clay material) (aka Fuller)
Beavermade felt used in hat making
Bedmansexton
Bedralin Scotland a minor church official
Bedweveremade the webbing for bed frames and also a one who wove quilts
Beeskepmakermade beehives
Beetleroperated a beetling machine, used in the textile trade for embossing fabric
Belleyeterebellfounder
Bellfounder / Belter / Billitermade bells
Bell Hangerinstalled bells in churches
Bellmanemployed as a watchman or town crier or who worked for the post office and collected letters for the mail coach by walking the streets and ringing a bell
Bellowfarmerresponsible for the care and maintenance of the church organ
Bellows Makermade bellows used for organs or blacksmiths fires
Belly Builderbuilt and fitted the interiors of pianos
Bendercut leather
Besswardenappointed by the parish to look after its animals
Besom Makermade brooms
Beverbeverage maker
Biddyfemale servant usually of Irish stock
Billier / Billymanoperated a Billy Roller, a machine used in the cotton industry to prepare the cotton for spinning
Bill Posterput up notices, signs and advertisements
Binderbound items, e.g., books, hats etc .
Bird Boyemployed to scare away birds from crops
Bird Catchercaught birds for selling
Birds Nest Sellersold bird nests collected from the wild complete with eggs which were then hatched by domestic birds and sold as pets
Birlymanin Scotland a ground officer or parish arbiter
Black Tray Makermade Japanned trays
Blacking Makermade polish for shoes
Black Borderermade black edged stationery for funerals
Bladesmithsword maker or knife maker
Blaxter / Bleacherbleached cloth or paper pulp
Blemmereplumber
Blentonistwater diviner
Blindsmanemployed by the Post Office to deal with incorrectly addressed letters and parcels
Blockcutter / Blockermade wooden blocks used in the hat trade or laid down the blocks on which a ships keel was laid; a block cutter was also a person who made and cut the patterns into wooden blocks for textile printing
Block Makerengraved the blocks used in the printing
Block Printerprinter who used wooden blocks for printing
Bloodman / Bloodletterused leeches for letting blood, this was thought to be a cure for many ailments
Bloomerproduced iron from ore, a bloom smithy
Blower glass blowerone who operated a "blowing machine" used to clean and separate fibres in the textile trade, one who operated the bellows at a blacksmiths
Blowfeederfed the fibres into a "blowing machine"
BluestockingFemale writer
Blufferinnkeeper or landlord of a pub
Boarding Officerinspected ships before entering port
Boardmantruant officer who checked school attendance. a tenant of manorial land who paid rent by maintaining the manor's table
Boardwrightmade tables and chairs aka carpenter
Boatmanworked on a boat, predominately on rivers and canals also the name given to a boat repairer
Boatswainship's officer in charge of riggings & sails
Bobberwho polished metals one who helped to unload fishing boats
Bobbin Carrierworked in spinning and weaving sections of the mills
Bobbin Turnermade the bobbins used in the spinning and weaving industry
Bobbypoliceman usually of constable rank
Bodeys / Body Makermade bodices for women’s garments
Bodgercraftsman who made wooden chair legs and the spars and usually worked in the actual woodland that they cut the timber in
Boilermakerworked with metal in any industrial setting
Boiler Platermade rolled iron plate used to make boilers for steam engines etc
Bolllooked after power looms in the weaving industry
Boltersifted meal
Bondagerfemale worker on a farm who was bonded
Bondmanbonded to a master for the purpose of learning a skill or trade
Bondsmanstood bond or surety for another where a bond was required by law
Bone Button Turnermade buttons using a lathe
Bone Lace Makermade pillow lace
Bone Mould Turnermade the moulds for button manufacturers
Bone Pickercollected rags and bones aka Rag and Bone Man
Bonesetterset broken bones
BonifaceKeeper of an inn
Book Gilderdecorated books with gold leaf
Bookholderprompter in the theater
Book Keeperlooked after the accounts for businesses
Bookmanstudent
Boonmastersurveyor of roads with the responsibilities of maintaining and repairing the road
Bootbinderemployed to operate the machines which bound footwear
Boot Catcherservant at inn who pulled off traveler's boots
Boot Closerworked in the shoe trade stitching together all the parts of a shoe upper
Boothmancorn merchant
Borlerwho made cheap coarse clothing
Borsholderregional name (Kent) for a constable
Botchertailor or cobbler
Bottiler / Bottlermade leather containers for holding liquids i.e. wine flasks or water bottles
Bottle Boypharmacist’s assistant
Bottom Makermoulded the bottoms for saggers in the pottery industry
Bottom Knockersaggar makers assistant in the pottery industry
Bottomerworked down the pits moving the ore etc to the bottom of the shaft for removal
Bowdlerworked with iron ore
Bowkerbleached yarn. A local term in some parts of Lancashire for a butcher
Bowlermade bowls and dishes and also a term used for those who made the rounded part of spoons before casting
Bowlman / Bowlwomandealer in crockery
Bowlminderin charge of the vats used for washing raw wool before processing
Bowyer / Bowermade bows used in archery
Bozzlerparish constable
Brabenerweaver
Brachygraphershorthand writer
Braidermade cord by twisting threads or strips of leather
Braillermade girdles
Brakeman / Brakesmanoperated the winch at the pit head or operated the braking mechanism on trains and trams
Brasilerdyer
BrazierOne who works with brass
BrewsterBeer manufacturer
BrightsmithMetal Worker
BroomDasher dealer in brooms
Broom Squirebroom maker
Brotherer / Browderer / Broderer / Broidererembroiderer
Brow Girlfemale employed at the pit head
Brownsmithworks with copper or brass
Buckler / Bucklesmithmade buckles
Buckle Tongue Makermade the metal points that go in the holes of a belt
Buckram Makerworked with buckram (used in stiffening materials) e.g. belts, lapels and collars
Buck Washerlaundress
Buddleboyemployed to use and maintain the vats used in the lead and tin mines for washing the ore
Buddlerwomen and children who washed the ore at the copper mines in Allihies, Berehaven
Buffalo Soldiersoldier serving in a black regiment in the US Army in the West
Bullwhackeroxen driver
Bullockyattended to the daily needs of cattle and may also have lent a hand with general farm duties, especially during busy periods
Bumboat Manmet ships at anchor with goods for passengers and crew to purchase
Bummerarmy deserter
Bummareemiddle man between the wholesaler and the retailer at the fish markets
Bunterfemale rag & bone collector
Burgessrepresented a borough at official levels
Burelermade borel, a woolen cloth with a coarse feel
BurgonmasterMayor
Burlerquality inspector for clothing
Burmaidenchambermaid or lady-in-waiting
Burnemancarrier of barm or water for brewers
Burye Mangrave digger
Bushel Makercooper
Bushelertailor's helper
Buss Makermaker of guns
Buskerhairdresser
Butnerbutton maker
Butter Carvermade imprints in butter pats
Button Burnisherbutton polisher
Buttynegotiated mining contracts and supplied the labor
Caddy Butcherbutcher that dealt in horse meat
Caddiemessenger or errand boy
Cadgerbeggar
Cafendercarpenter
Cafflerrag and bone collector
Cainermade walking sticks
Cairdanother term for a tinker
Calcinerburnt bones to make powdered lime
Calenderlisted documents
Calenderer / Calenderman / CalenderWorker operated a machine which pressed using two large rollers (calender) used to press and finish fabrics or paper
Calico Printerdyed and colored calico
Cambric Makermade a fine linen or cotton fabric called cambric
Camisterminister of the cloth
Candle Maker / Candlerwho made and sold candles
Cambistbanker
Cameristlady's maid
Camlet Merchantseller of camlet, cloth used to make cloaks & petticoats
Campanerbell maker
Candy Mantraveling candy salesman and also slang name for a bailiff
Cancellariuschancellor
Caner / Chair Bottomermade the seats for chairs out of woven cane
Cannallercanal boat worker
Canterreligious speaker who uses can’t
Canting Callerauctioneer
Canvasermade canvas
Capercap maker
Capillaire Makermade orange flavored syrup
Capitalistinvestor
Capper / Cap Makermade caps usually worn by the working class
Captainin charge of a ship or a group of soldiers and also term for an overseer
Cardroomerterm for anyone who worked in the carding room of the mills
Cardercards wool
Cardmakermaker of cards or instruments for combing wool
Carman / Charman / Carter / Carrierdrove a vehicle used to transport goods
Card Nailer / Nailoramaintained the teeth (nails) on the carding machine used for preparing wool and cotton for weaving
Caretakertakes care of another's property
Carnergranary keeper
Carnifexbutcher
Carpentariuscarpenter
Carry-In-Boytook finished bottled (products) to the tempering oven
Cartercarries or conveys in or as if in a cart
Cart Wheelermade cart wheels
Cartographermap maker
Cartomancerfortune teller who used cards
Cartwrightmaker of carts & wagons
Cashmariesold fish usually at inland markets
Caster / Castoramade small bottles used for sprinkling salt, pepper, sugar etc
Castratorwho castrated farm animals aka gelder
Catagmancottager
Catchpole / Catchpollasheriff's assistance or bailiff
Catechistateacher of religion
Cattle Jobberbuys and sells cattle
CaulkerOne who filled up cracks (in ships or windows or seems to them watertight by using tar or oakum-hemp fiber produced by taking old ropes apart
Ceilerputs up the ceilings in buildings
Cellarmanlooked after the beer, wines and spirits in public houses or the warehouse
Chaff Cuttermade chaff by cutting straw
Chaffererdealer in chaff
Chair Bodgertraveling chair repairman
ChaisemakerCarriage maker
Chalonerdealer in shalloon, a material made in Chƒlons
Chamberlain / Cemmersteward to either royalty or nobility, in charge of the household
Chambermaidfemale servant attending to bedrooms in houses or inns
Chamber Mastershoemaker that worked from home as an outworker or selling direct
Chaunterstreet entertainer who sung ballads
Cheese Factor / Cheeseman / Cheese Mongerdealer in cheeses
ChandlerDealer or trader; one who makes or sells candles; retailer of groceries
Chanty Mansailor that led the singing of shanties on board ship
Chapelermade and sold hats
Chapman / Copeman / Petty Chapman / Ceapmandealer or peddler of goods usually itinerant going from village to village.
Charcoal Burnermade charcoal usually in the woods where the trees were cut
Chartmastermiddleman that negotiated mining contracts and supplied the labour
Charwomancleaning woman
Chatelainemistress of a castle or house
ChiffonnierWig maker
Childbed Linen Warehouse Keeper / Dealerhired bedlinen for childbirth as most children were born at home
Chimney Sweepchimney cleaner
Chinglor rooftilerwho used wooden shingles
Chipshipwright or carpenter
Chippers Labourerassistant to a shipwright or ships carpenter
Chiropodisttreats diseases of the feet & hands
Chirugion or Chirurgeonapothecary or surgeon (usually learned by apprenticeship)
Chowderfish monger; The occupation name derives from the archaic word Jowter
Chronologistrecorded official events of historical importance
Cinder Wenchfemale who collected the cinders from gas works and sold them door to door
Clakermagician/astrologer
Clapmantown crier
Clark / ClericusClerk
Classmanunemployed laborer
Clavigerservant
Clay Carrierassistant to the shot firer in the pits
Clayman / Cleymanworked in the clay pits usually preparing the clay for making bricks and also one who coated the outside of buildings with clay to make them water proof
ClerkClergyman, cleric
ClickerThe servant of a salesman who stood at the door to invite customers; one who received the matter in the galley from the compositors and arranged it in due form ready for printing; one who makes eyelet holes in boots using a machine which clicked.
Clickerworked in the shoe trade cutting out the uppers made the shoelace holes and one in charge of the final stage of layout before printing in printing industry
Clipper / Clipper On / Clipper Offattached the coal carts to the wire or rope which was used to drag the carts to and from the coal face
Clod Hopperplowman
Cloggermaker of wooden shoes
Cloth Lappertook the cloth from the carding machine readied it for the next process
Cloth Linter / Cloth Pickerremoved unwanted threads and lint from the finished material
Clothier / Clothesman / Clothmanwho made or sold clothes
Clouter / Clowermade nails also another term for a shoemaker for the former term
Coachman / Coach Driverdrove any coach
Coal Backercarried the sacks of coal from the coal barge to the coal wagons
Coal Burnermade charcoal
Coal Drawerworked in the mines pushing or dragging the coal carts to the bottom of the pit
Coal Heaverunloaded coal
Coalman / Coal Merchant / Coal Higglersold coal usually from a horse and cart, house to house.
Coalmetermeasured the coal
Coal Runnerattended the coal carts underground
Coal Whipperunloaded coal from ships using baskets attached to a simple form of crane
Coast Surveyor / Waitercustoms officer who watched over the offloading off goods on the coast
Cobblershoemaker
Coblemanused a flat-bottomed boat for fishing
Cocuscook
Cod Placerput fireproof containers which held the pottery for firing into the kiln
CohenPriest (descendant of Levi)
Coinerworked at the mint stamping out coins
Collar Makermade horse collars and one who made shirt collars
CollierCoal miner
ColonusLatin for farmer or husbandman
ColporteurPeddler of books
Colourator / Coloratoraworked with dyes
Colour Manmixed the dyes in the textile trade and also assistant to a house painter
Comber / Comberecombs wool
Comb Makermade combs either for the textile industry for combing wool etc. or the maker of hair combs
Compositorset the type ready for printing
Conder / Connergave steering instructions to the steersman and also gave directions to inshore fisherman of fish movements on shoals (usually from the top of cliffs or rocks)
Coney Catcherrabbit catcher
Confectionercandy maker
Connerinspector or tester
CooperOne who makes or repairs vessels made of staves and hoops, such as casks, barrels, tubs, etc.
Copeman / Coperdealer in goods and also dishonest dealer in horses in the latter case
Copperbeater / Copperbetercoppersmith
Coppersmithworked with copper
Coracle Makermade coracles, a small round boat used for fishing
Cordiner / Corviner / Corvisor /CordwainerShoemaker, originally any leather worker using leather from Cordova/Cordoba in Spain
CostermongerPeddler of fruits and vegetables
Coster Wifefemale fruit seller
Cotilercutler
Cottierlandless farmer in the Irish midland estates that farmed at will, not year to year
Couperbuys & sells horses and cattle
Couranteerjournalist
Cowherdcow tender
Cowkeeperkept one or more cows (a common source of livelihood in cities) when a cow was kept in the back yard of a house, providing milk which was sold at the front door or window, forerunner of the local dairy
Coxwainship or boat helmsman
Cratch Makermade cratches (mangers, cribs, or frames) for hay
Crierlaw court officer, auctioneer, town announcer
Crimpermember of navy press gang
CrockerPotter
Croftertenant of a small piece of land
Croppertenant who is paid with a share of the crop
Crosier / Crozierbearer of the pastoral staff of a bishop or the bearer of the cross before the archbishop in the church
CrownerCoroner
Cuhreur (Cunreur)currier
Curercures tobacco
Curretterbroker
CurrierOne who dresses the coat of a horse with a currycomb; one who tanned leather by incorporating oil or grease
Cutlerknife seller or sharpener
Daguerreotype Artistearly name for a photographer (from the Daguerreotype method)
Dairymanworker or owner of a dairy farm or seller of dairy products
Damsterbuilder of dams for logging purposes
Danterfemale overseer in the winding rooms of a silk mill
Dateler / Day Man / Daytalemancasual worker, usually employed by the day
Deathsmanexecutioner
Decimer / Dozenerelected by the householders in a street to act as their representative at the borough's Court Leet
Decoymanemployed to decoy the wild fowl, animals etc. into a trap or within shooting range
Decretistknowledgeable in decrees, decretals
Deemer / Deemster / Demster / Dempsterjudge, usually in the Channel Islands or Isle of Man
Delverdug ditches
Depaterprecious metal refiner
Deputysafety officer for the pit crew in the mining industry
Derrickmanworked on an oil well handling the tubes and rods used in drilling
Devilprinter's errand boy
Devilleroperated the devil, a machine that tore rags used in the textile industry
Dexterdyer
Dey Wifefemale dairy worker
Dikeman / Dykemanhedger or ditcher
Dipperwho worked in the pottery trade and was responsible for the glazing of items
Disher / Dish Throwerwho made bowls and dishes
Dish Turnerwho made wooden bowls or dishes
Distillermaker of alcoholic beverages
Distributorparish official attached to the workhouse / poorhouse who looked after the secular needs of the poor
Docker / Stevedoredock worker who loads and unloads cargo
Dock Masterin charge of a dockyard
Dog Leechveterinarian
Dog-Whipperdrove dogs away in a village
Domesmanjudge
Domestichousehold servant
Donkey Boy / Donkey Mandriver of a carriage for passengers
Door Keeperguard, janitor, or porter
Doubleroperated a machine used to twist together strands of fibre (cotton, wool etc.)
DowserOne who finds water using a rod or witching stick
Dragmanfisherman who fished by dragging a net along the bottom of the water
Dragomanacted as interpreter or guide in Turkish or Arabic
Dragsmandriver of a small stagecoach or carriage used for public transport or private hire
Dragoonmounted infantryman
Drainermade drains
DraperA dealer in dry goods
Drawboyweavers assistant in the shawl making mills, they sat atop the looms and lifted the heavy warps.
DraymanOne who drives a long strong cart without fixed sides for carrying heavy loads
Dredgermanone who in a boat to collect the bits and pieces that had fallen overboard from other vessels which then were sold (London occupation)
DresserA surgeon's assistant in a hospital
Dressing Machine Makermade sewing machines
Drift Makermade drift nets, used in the fishing industry
Dripping Mandealer in dripping (the fat collected during the cooking of meats)
Driverslave overseer
DroverOne who drives cattle, sheep, etc. to market; a dealer in cattle
Druggerpharmacist
Drummertraveling salesman
Dry Salterdealer in pickles, dried meats, and sauces or a dealer in dyes and colors used in the dying trade
Dubberecloth dubber, i.e., one who raises the nap of cloth
DufferPeddler
Dustman / Dustbin Mancollected domestic refuse
Dry Stone Waller (Dry Stane Dyker in Scottish)built stone walls usually using the stones removed from the fields as building materials. The art was in not using any cement or mortar and generally not cutting the stone, but being able to see where various stones would fit together
Dyeremployed in the textile mills to color fabric prior to weaving
Ealdormanan official of the shire courts who acted as the King's deputy taking payment from the profits of the court
Ebonite Turnerone who worked with ebonite or vulcanite, making combs or ornaments etc.
Earerplowman
Earth Stopperone who plugs up animal holes
Egg Factor / Eggleregg or poultry dealer
Elephants Teeth Dealerwho dealt in ivory ornaments etc.
Ellerman / Elliman / Oilmanwho sold oil used for lamps
Elymakerproduced oil for lamps
Embosserwho moulded or carved designs that were raised above the surface of the material
Empresarioland broker, settlement scheme promoter, showman
Endholdernninn keeper
Enginemanemployed at a mine to be in charge of the machinery used to crush the ore
Engine Tenterwho operated the machine which stretched the cloth whilst drying in a woollen mill
Ensigncommissioned officer in the navy
Enumeratorwho collected the information for the census from the householder and recorded it
Equerryofficer of the royal household usually responsible for the royal horses
Eremitehermit
Eriteheretic
Esquireone who attended a knight, which later became a title for a man of standing in society
Estafettemounted courier
Ewe Herdshepherd
Exchequerrevenue collector
Exisemanexcise tax collector
Expressmanperson employed in the express business
Eyer / Holerone who made eyes in needles used for sewing
Faberartisan or workman
Fabricatormaker
FactorAgent, commission merchant; one who acts or transacts business for another; Scottish steward or bailiff of an estate Farrier A blacksmith, one who shoes horses
Fagettermade up faggots into bundles, seller of firewood
Fakerphotographic assistant who added color to photographs by hand before color film was available
Faulkner / Falconer / Fawknerbreeds, trains, or hunts with hawks
Fancy-Pearl Workerworked in mother-of-pearl making buttons or fancy goods
Fancy Manpimp
Fancy Womanprostitute
Fannergrain winnower
Fanwrightmaker and repairer of fans or winnowing baskets
Farandmantraveling merchant
Farmeroften descendant of the gentry and, ultimately, noble classes; usually having servants and farm workers, e.g., husbandmen, groomsmen, etc.
Farrier / Ferrourhorseshoer or blacksmith
Fear-Nothing Makerweaver of a special kind of thick woollen cloth known as fear-nought, used for protective clothing and lining portholes, walls, and doors of powder magazines on board ships.
Feather Beater / Feather Drivercleanser of feathers
Feather-Dresserwho cleaned and prepared feathers for sale
Feathermandealer in feathers and plumes
Feather-Wifewoman who prepared feathers for use
Feederherdsman
Fellerwoodcutter
Fell mongerOne who removes hair or wool from hides in preparation for leather making
Felterworker in the hatting industry
Feronerironmonger
Ferreterdealer in or manufacturer of ferret, i.e. silk tape
Fettlercleaned the machinery in woollen mills, removing accumulated fibres, grease, etc., sharpened the fustian cutters knives or needle maker who filed the needle to a point
Fewstermaker of saddle trees
Fewtererkeeper of hounds, for hunting or coursing
Fiddlerused a fiddle (small knife) to remove the flashing from cast clay forms such as bowl, creamers, cups or pitchers
File Cuttera maker of files, involved the cutting of grooves on the file surface
FilibusterAmerican mercenaries in South America, gun runners
Fillerwho filled bobbins in mills
Fine Draweremployed in tailoring to repair tears in the cloth (invisible mending)
Finisheroperated machine giving final touches to a manufactured article in various trades
Firebeatertended the boilers that powered the machinery in a cotton mill
Firemaninspected for, and removed explosive gasses underground in mining or stoked the boilers on ships and locomotives
First Handsilk weaver who had his own loom (an outworker)
Fiscerefisherman
Fisher (Fishdryver) / victuallera person who is licensed to sell alcoholic liquor.
Fish Fagfemale fish monger
Fittercoal broker
Flaunerconfectioner
Flasherspecialist process worker in the glass industry
Flatman / Floatmannavigated a flat, a broad flat-bottomed boat used for transport, especially in shallow waters
Flaxdresserprepared flax prior to spinning
Fleshmonger / Flesherbutcher or one who worked in a tannery
Fleshewerbutcher
FletcherOne who made bows and arrows
Floatervagrant or one who regulated the year-round workings of the water-meadows in winter by adjusting the hatches on the channels to flood or float the meadows with a shallow covering of water to protect them from frost and encourage the early growth of new grass mainly for early feed for sheep and other animals. The sheep were pastured on the new grass by day and driven up on to the downs to be folded by night to provide the manure needed for the coming season's grain crops
Flushermanwho cleaned out water mains
Flycoachmandriver of one-horse carriage hired by the day
Flying Stationerstreet broadsheet seller
Flymandriver of a light vehicle hired out for carriage of passenger or Theatre stage hand
Foggerpeddler or low class lawyer
Foister / Foistererjoiner; a person who constructs the wooden components of a building, such as stairs, doors, and door and window frames.
Foot Maidenfemale servant
Foot Manservant who ran errands
Foot Padrobber
Foot-Postletter carrier or messenger who travelled on foot
Foot Straightenerone who assembled watch and clock dials in watchmaking
Forestergame warden or forest ranger
Forgemanblacksmith or assistant (coachsmith 18th century Derbyshire)
Forgerblacksmith, worker at a forge
Fossetmakerwho made faucets for ale-casks, etc.
Fowerstreet cleaner, sweeper
Fowler / Fogler / Fugler / Vowler / Vogeler / Vogler / Vageler / Vogelaar / Voglerkeeper or catcher of birds
Frame Spinnerworker on a loom
Framerone who frames houses
Frameworker Knitteroperator of machine which made hosiery
Freedmanone released from slavery
Freemasonstonecutter
Fresermaker of frieze, a rough plaster
Freshwater Mansailed boat on fresh water only or in the coastal trade
Frippererbuyer & seller of old clothes
Friseurhairdresser
Frobisher / Furbisher / Furber / Furbourremover of rust, a polisher of metal, e.g. armour
Fruitererfruit seller
Fruitesterefemale fruit seller
Fulkerpawnbroker
FullerOne who fulls cloth;one who shrinks and thickens woolen cloth by moistening, heating, and pressing; one who cleans and finishes cloth
Funabulisttightrope walker
Furbisherarmor polisher
Furnerbaker
Furrierseller or maker of furs
Fustian Weavermaker of corduroy
Gabelertax collector
Gafferforeman of a work crew or in glass factory, one who smoothed, reheated the neck of and formed lip on a bottle
Gaffmana bailiff
Gagertax collector of liquor taxes
Galvaniseriron worker who handled process of coating metal with zinc, to inhibit formation of rust
Gamestergambler or prostitute
Gangeroverseer or foreman from 1850 onwards
Gangsmanforeman
Gannekertavern keeper
GaolerA keeper of the goal, a jailer
Garcifer / Gariciogroom; attendant
Garlekmonger / Garlicmongerdealer in garlic
Garthmanowner or worker of a fish trap
Gas Managerforeman position in charge of checking for poisonous gas in coal mine shafts
Gaterwatchman
Gathererglassworker who inserted the blow iron into the molten glass ready for the blower
Gatherers Boyheld a shovel to shield the gatherer's face from the heat
Gatwardgoat keeper
Gaugercustoms official who measured the capacity of imported barrels of liquor in order to calculate the customs duty
Gaunterglover
Gavellerusurer and in the Forest of Dean, an officer of the Crown who granted gales or the right to work a mine and in Suffolk a harvest worker, usually female
Geldercastrator of animals, especially horses
Geometerskilled in geometry
Gerund GrinderLatin instructor
Gilderapplies gold leaf
Gimlermachinist involved in making a gimp, a kind of card
Ginourengineer
Girdlerleather worker who made girdles and belts, chiefly for the Army
Glass Coachmandriver of two-horse carriage hired out for the day
Glassewryght / Glasswrightmaker and mender of glassware
GlazierWindow glassman
Glimmer Manin Dublin, the man who would turn out (or down) the gas street-lights and also warn people turn out lights in their houses to ensure blackouts during bombing raids at War time
Gloverone that makes or sells gloves
Goat Carriage Mandriver of small passenger carriage
Goldsmithmaker of gold articles, banker
Goose Herdtends geese
Gorzemanseller of gorse or broom
Grace Wifemidwife
Graffernotary or scrivener
Grainerpainted wood to make it look like great and exotic woods
Grangerfarmer
Gravercarver or sculptor, engraver of images or dockside worker who cleaned ship bottoms by burning and tarring
Grazierpastures and raises cattle
Greave / Grievebailiff, foreman, sheriff
Green Grocerfruit and vegetable seller
Greensmithworker in copper or latten
Grimbribberlawyer
Grooverminer
Groundsel & Chickweed Sellerstreet seller of common weeds, used to feed pet songbirds
Guinea Pigan unattached, or roving person whose fee was usually a guinea
Gummerone who improved old saws by deepening the cuts
Gutta-Percha Manufacturermakes a tough plastic substance derived from latex and percha scrap used especially as insulation and in dentistry
Gynourengineer
Gypa male college servant especially one attending undergraduates
Haberdasherseller of men's clothing
HackerMaker of hoes
Hackler / Hackman / Hecklerone who separated the coarse part of flax or hemp with a hackle, an instrument with teeth in linen industry
Hackney Manrenter of horses & carriages
Hair Seating & Curled Hair Merchantdealer in horse-hair stuffing used in upholstery
Hairweaver / Hairmanweaver of cloth composed wholly or partly of horsehair
Halbert Carriersoldier or halberdier, armed with a halberd, a combination spear and battleaxe (a ceremonial officer)
Hammermanhammerer, a smith
Hand Flowererladies living mainly in rural locations who embroidered flowers or similar designs on muslin or cambric
Handle Stickerput handles on cast ceramic cups, pitchers, etc
Handsellerstreet vendor
Handwomanmidwife or female attendant
Hankymana travelling magician in Victorian/Edwardian England
Hansardweapon maker or seller
Harlotvagabond, beggar, rogue, 14th century male servant, attendant or menial, and 15th century, loose woman
Harmer Beckconstable
Harperperformer on the harp
HatchelerOne who combed out or carded flax
Hattermaker of or dealer in hats
Hawker / Hucksterpeddler
HaymongerDealer in hay
HaywardKeeper of fences
Headsmanexecutioner
Headswomanmidwife
Heald Knitteroperator of a machine which produced a jersey type of fabric as opposed to woven fabric
Heck Makermaker of a part of a spinning machine by which the yarn is guided to the reels
Hedge Lookersupervised good repair of fence and enclosures
Hedgerhedge trimmer
Heelmakermade shoe heels
Hellier / Hilliertiler or slater
Helper-Upyoung boy employed in Durham pits to help other workers
Hemplhecklerflax worker
Henchman / Hensmanhorseman or groom
Henterthief
Hethelederprovider of heather for fuel
Hewerminer who cut coal, stone, etc., a face worker in a mine
HigglerItinerant peddler
Highwaymanrobber who preys on public roads
Hillard / Hiller / HillierRoof tiler
HindA farm laborer
Hired Mangardener, farmhand, or stableman
Hobblerboat tower on a river or canal
Hodsmanmason's assistant
Hoggardpig drover
Holstergroom who took care of horses
Honey Dipperextracted raw sewage from catch basins and out-houses
Hooferdancer
Hooker16th century reaper, 19th century worker in textile industry who operated a machine which laid fabric flat in uniform folds of any required length
Hoopermakes hoops for casks & barrels (not a cooper)
Hornerworker in horn making spoons, combs, or musical horns
Horse Courserowner of race horses
Horse Knavegroom
Horse Leechveterinarian, farrier
Horse Marine manhandled barges on canals when horses could not be used
Horse-Capperdealer in worthless horses
Horse-Hair Curlerdressed horsehair which was used extensively in the upholstery trade
Hosierretailer of stockings, socks, gloves, nightcaps
Hostellerinnkeeper
Hostler / Ostlercares for horses, stableman, groom, repairer or railway engines
House Joinerhouse framer
House Wrighthouse builder
Hotpresserworker in paper or textile industries where product was pressed between glazed boards and hot metal plates to obtain a smooth and shiny surface
Hoymanone who carries goods and passengers by water (Hoy - small coastal vessel or sloop)
Howdy Wifemidwife
HucksterSells small wares
HusbandmanA farmer who cultivated the land
Huissherusher or door attendant
Hurdleman / Hurdlerhedge-maker, of wattled framework fencing
Hurriersterm applied to the girls aged 5-18 who were employed as coal-drawers in the coal industry
Husbandmantenant farmer
Hush Shop Keeperbrewed and sold beer without a license (usually as a side line)
Icemanseller or deliverer of ice
Idlemangentleman of leisure
Infirmarianin charge of an infirmary
InnkeeperAlso known as Bluffer, Hosteller, Ordinary Keeper, Ostler, Piper, Publican, Taverner
Intelligencerspy
Intendentdirector of a public or government business
Interfactormurderer
Iron Founderone who founds or iron
Iron Masterowner or manager of a foundry
Iron Mongerdealer in hardware made of iron (also known as a feroner)
Ivory Workersincluded makers of combs, boxes, billiard balls, buttons, and keys for pianofortes
Jackyoung male assistant, sailor, or lumberjack
Jack-Frame Tentercotton industry worker who operated a jack-frame, used for giving a twist to the thread
Jack-Smithmaker of lifting machinery and contrivances
JaggerFish peddler
Jakes-Farmerone who emptied cesspools
Japannerone who covers with a hard brilliant coat of any of several varnishes
Jerquercustom house officer who searched ships
Jersey Comberworker in woollen manufacture (Jersey - wool which has been combed but not spun into yarn)
Jiggermanoperated a spinning wheel (Jigger) to form the foot (back side) of a ceramic plate
Jobbera buyer in quantity to sell to others, a pieceworker
Jobling Gardenerone employed on a casual basis
Jobmastersupplied carriages, horses and drivers for hire
Jongleurtraveling minstrel
JourneymanOne who had served his apprenticeship and mastered his craft, not bound to serve a master, but hired by the day
Joyner / JoinerA skilled carpenter
Jousterfishmonger
Kedgerfisherman
Keekercolliery official who checked quantity and quality of coal output or weighman
KeelerBargeman
Keepercontrolled the quantities of ore and fuel, regulated the blast and tapped the molten metal from the furnace
KempsterWool comber
Kiddierskinner or dealer in young goats
Kilner / Limeburnerin charge of a kiln
Kissermade cuishes (thigh armour) and high armour
Knackerharness maker, buyer of old horses and dead animals
Knappersdressed and shaped flints into required shape and size
Kneller / Knullerchimney sweep who solicited custom by knocking on doors
Knocker-Upman paid to wake up northern mill and factory workers on early shifts
KnockKnobblerdog catcher
Knollertoller of bells
Lace-Drawerchild employed in lace work, drawing out threads
Lacemandealer in lace, who collected it from the makers, usually only those who had bought his thread, and sold it in the lace markets
Lace-Master / Mistressemployed workers in factories or in their homes for the production of lace
Lace-Runneryoung worker who embroidered patterns on lace
Lacewomanlady's maid
Laggersailor
Lagaetmanlocal constable (Law-Rightman)
LardnerKeeper of the cupboard
Lastershoemaker
Lattenerbrass worker
Landwaitercustoms officer whose duty was to wait or attend on landed goods
Laundererwasher
LavenderWasher woman
Layerworker in paper mill responsible for a particular stage in paper-making process
Leavelookerexamined food on sale at market
LedererLeather maker
Leech / SawbonesPhysician
Legerdemainistmagician
Leggercanal boatman
Lehrerteacher
Leightonwardgardener (leighton - a garden)
Lightermanworker on a flat-bottomed boat
Limnerilluminator of books, painter or drawer
Linenerlinen draper, shirtmaker
Liner / Lynerflax dresser
Linkerboy / Manone who carried a link or torch to guide people through city streets at night for a small fee (had to be licensed to trade in early 19th century had and term later sometimes applied to general manservant)
Lister / Litsterdyer
Littermangroom (of horses)
Loadsmanship's pilot
Loblolly Boyship's doctor's assistant or errand boy
Lock Keeperoverseer of canal locks
LongshoremanStevedore; a person employed, or a contractor engaged, at a dock to load and unload cargo from ships.
Long Song Sellerstreet seller who sold popular song sheets printed on paper
LorimerMaker of horse gear
Lotsellerstreet seller
Lotterone who bought odd lots of wool and consolidated them for sale
Lumperdock laborer who discharged cargo of timber employed by a master lumper (not the Dock Company) or fine-grain salt maker, from practice of moulding salt into lumps
Lum Swooperchimney sweep
Lungsalchemist's servant whose duty was to fan the fire
Luthiermaker and repairer of stringed musical instruments
Maderergathered and sold garlic
Maidfemale domestic servant
Mail Guardarmed guard, frequently an ex-soldier, employed on the mail coach service
Maise Makerone who made measures for weighing herring catch
Malemakermaker of 'Males' or travelling bags
MalenderFarmer
MaltsterBrewer
MancipleA steward
Manglerworks a mangle
Mangle Keeperwoman who offered use of the mangle for a fee
Mangoslave dealer
Mantuamakerdressmaker
Marblerone who stained paper or other material, veined in imitation of marble
Marshallhorse doctor of shoe smith
Marshmanpaid by various landowners to look after marshlands and tend the animals put to graze there for the season
Mashmakermaker of the mash-vats or mashels used for mixing malt
MasonBricklayer
Masterone of three grades of skill recognised by the Guild of Crafts
Master Lumpercontractor of laborers at cheap rate of pay
Master Marinership's captain
Matchet Forgerknifemaker
Mawermower
Mealmandealer in meal or flour
Meldercorn miller
Mercatormerchant
Mercercloth seller
Metererpoet
Midwife / Grace Wife / Handwoman / Headswoman / Howdy Wife experienced woman who assists in childbirth
Milesman / Lengthsmanrailway worker who had a length of railway track to keep in good order
Miller / Molitor / Multurercorn miller, cloth miller, saw miller
Milleressmiller's wife
Millers Carmandrove carrier to deliver the flour or seed to the customers
Millpecksharpener of mill stones
Millnermaker of women’s hats
Millwrightdesigner & builder of mills or mill machinery
Milstone Inspectorvagrant, a gentleman of the road
Mintmaster / MintmakerOne who issued local currency
Mixerbartender
Mocado Weaverweaver of woollen cloth used for making clothes 16-17th century
Mold Boyclosed and held mold for glassblower, also weighed the bottles
Molitormiller
Mondaymanone who worked for landowner on Mondays in lieu of rent
MongerSeller of goods (ale, fish)
Monthly Nursesomeone who assisted women during the first month after giving birth
Mouldermaker of moulds or castings, brickmaker
Mountebankseller if ineffectual patent medicines
Mudlarksewer cleaner, riverbank scavenger
Muffin Makermaker who made muffins
Muffin Manitinerant seller of muffins
Mugglerpigman; a pig farmer
Mugsellerseller of cups, mugs
Mule Minderminded the spinning mules in the cotton mills
MuleskinnerTeamster
Muleteermule driver
Multurermiller
Musickermusician
Mustarder / Mustardmanmade and dealt in mustard
Nagelschmiedmeistermaster nailsmith
Nagsmana person who schools horses, usually for his employer
Naperer / Napierroyal servant in charge of table linen
Narrow Weaverweaver of ribbons, tapes, etc.
Navigatorlaborer building canals or railways
NeatherderHerds cows
Neckerworker responsible for the feeding of cardboard into the machine the makes boxes
Nedellerneedle maker
Necessary Womanservant responsible for emptying and cleaning chamber pots
Netternet maker
Night Soilman / Nightmanone who emptied cesspits, ashpits and backyard toilets
Nightwalkerwatchman or bellman
Nimgimmera pox doctor
Nipper lorry boya young person employed by the carter or wagoner to assist with the collection and delivery of goods
Nob Thatcherwig maker
Noon Tenderguarded the goods on the quay while the officers were a lunch
Noterernotary
Occupiertradesman
Oilmansold the oil for lamps
Olitorkitchen gardener (from Olitory-a kitchen garden)
Orderlysoldier who functioned as a servant for an officer
Ordinary KeeperInnkeeper with fixed prices
Orrery Makermade a mechanical apparatus for showing the movements of the planets (named after the Earl of Orrery the inventor)
Orrice Weaverdesigner of lace patterns to be woven with silk thread and silk
Osier Peelerremoved bark from willow rods or osiers which were used in basket weaving, usually women and children (also known as withy peelers)
Ostiarymonastery door keeper
Ostleroriginally applied to an innkeeper/taverner or one who received guests especially in an monastery (13th century) but later on it came to mean stableboy or a person who looked after horses, coming from the old French 'hostelier'
Out Crierauctioneer
Outworkerworker who carried on their occupation at home, e.g., cotton or woollen weavers but it applies to many occupations
Overlookersuperintendent or overseer, especially in the textile mills
Overmansupervisor in a colliery who checked the miners work and the quality of the mined coal
Owlersheep or wool smuggler
Oyster Dredgermember of the crew on board an oyster fishing boat
Packerpacks goods such as pickles or herring
Packmantravelled around carrying goods for sale in a pack
Pack Thread Spinneroperator of the machine which made thread or twine
Pad Makermade small baskets used for measuring
Pageyouth being trained for the medieval rank of knight and in the personal service of a knight or attendant upon someone of rank in the medieval period
Paintresswoman employed in the pottery industry to hand paint the finished articles
Paper-Stainerone who made wallpaper
Paling Manseller of eels
Palisterone who ensured the parks were safe and well kept
Palmerone who had been, or pretended to have been, to the Holy Land
Pannier Manfishmonger
Pannifexsomebody who worked in the cloth trade
Panterkeeper of the pantry
Pantlerbutler
Papererinserted the needles into the paper ready for sale in the needle making trade
Pardonerseller of indulgences
Parfumier / Perfumermanufacturer and purveyor of scents such as perfumes, colognes and even incense
Pargeterapplied ornamental plaster to buildings
Paritorchurch officer who attended the magistrates and justices at court for the purpose of executing their orders
Parkerpark caretaker
Passage Keeperkept passages and alleys clean
Pastelerpastry chef
Pastorshepherd
Patten Makerclog maker or the person who made wooden soles (pattens) to fit under normal shoes to protect from wet and muddy ground
Pattern MakerA maker of a clog shod with an iron ring. A clog was a wooden pole with a pattern cut into the end
Paver / Paviourlaid paving stones
Pavylerput up pavilions or tents etc.
Pedasculeschoolmaster
Peelerpoliceman, constable, bobby (from Sir Robert Peel founder of the police force)
Peltererone who worked with animal skins
Perambulatorsurveyor
Perchemearone who made parchment
PeregrinatorItinerant wanderer
PerukerA wig maker
Pessonerfishmonger
Petermanfisherman
PettifoggerA shyster lawyer
Petty Chapmanitinerant dealer in small goods, a peddler
Pewterermade pewter utensils (using any of various alloys having tin as chief component especially a dull alloy with lead)
Philosophical Instrument Makerone who made scientific instruments
Phrenologistdiviner of a person's character based on the bumps on a person's head
Pickerone who cast the shuttle on a loom
Piecener / Piecerone who worked in a spinning mill, employed to piece together any threads which broke (usually a child or woman)
PigmanCrockery dealer
Pikelet Makerbaker who specialised in making pikelets (a small pancake or crumpet)
Pikemanmiller's assistant
Pikertramp or vagrant
Pillerrobber
Pilotship steersman
Pinderdog catcher
Pinerlaborer
Pinnerpin maker
Pinner Updressmakers assistant or one who sold broadsheets or ballards in the streets
Pinsetterone who manually set up bowling pins before the advent of automated pinsetting machines
Piperinnkeeper
Pirn Winderwound the yarn onto large wheel like bobbins which were then ready to feed the looms in a cotton mill
Pistorbaker
Pit Brow Lassfemale worker who worked on the surface of the mines
Pitmancoal miner
Plaitermaker of straw plaits used in making hats etc
Playdererone who made plaid
Plain Workerperformed plain sewing or needlework as opposed to an embroiderer
Plankerone who planks or kneads the body of the hat during felting
Platelayermen who laid and maintained the railway tracks in Britain and the word actually predates railways being derived from the very old "plateways" which existed hundreds of years ago, mainly for moving coal
Pleacher / Plaicher / Platcher / Plasherhedge layer
Plowmanfarmer
Plowwrightmaker or repairer of plows
Plumassier / Plumermade or sold plumes, ornamental feathers
PlumberOne who applied sheet lead for roofing and set lead frames for plain or stained glass windows.
Plumbum Workerplumber
Pointersharpened needles or pins or lace maker
Pointmaker / Pointmanmade the tips of laces
Pointsmanrailway worker who operated the points, used to change the line on which the train was travelling
Poldave Workermade poldave, a coarse fabric
Polemansurveyor's assistant
Polentierpoulterer
Poller / Powlerbarber
Ponderatorinspector of weights and measures
Portable Soup Makerconverted soup into a dry form for transporting from place to place
PorterDoor keeper
Postillionattacher of extra horses to wagons & coaches to help them up hills
Post Boycarried mail from town to town, guard who travelled on the mail coach or outrider who travelled with the stagecoach as a postillion
Posterone who worked in the quarries breaking rocks
Potato Badgerseller of potatoes
Pot Boy / Manone who worked in public houses washing and removing dirty pots also did other menial tasks
Pottermaker or seller of pottery
Potter Carrierchemist or pharmacist
Potter Throwerpotter who used a wheel and therefore had to throw the clay
Poulterseller of poultry
Power Loom Tunerone who maintained the loom in mills
Prentisapprentice
Preceptressschool mistress
Predigerpreacher
Prickerwitch hunter, pattern maker or a horseman
Prick Louisetailor
Prickerused a type of wire brush to make small holes inside ceramic sewer pipe to prevent spalling during firing
Prig Napperhorse thief
Proctorofficial of a university
Prop Bobbyworked in mines checking the pit props
Prothonarylaw clerk
Publicaninnkeeper
PuddlerWrought iron worker
Puggardthief
Puggerproduce clay paste by treading like grapes, usually women and children in brick manufacturing
Pug Mill Operatoroperated a machine for mixing clay and water, which then exuded a "pug" (a cylinder of clay of any diameter and indefinite length)
Punkychimney sweep
Purefinderold women and young girls who went about the streets gathering dog droppings which were used for tanning leather
Pursership's officer in charge of provisions & accounts
Putter Input things in to some form of mechanised process
Quarrel Pickerglazier
Quarrier / Quarrymanquarry worker
Quillerone who operated a machine that wound yarn onto spools
Quilter / Quiltressone who quilted material
Quisterone who bleached things
Qwylwryghtewheelwright
Rack Maidengirl employed in the tin mines of Cornwall to dress the ore
Raffmanone who dealt in raff (saleable rubbish)
Raff Merchantseller of fibre used to make raffia bags etc.
Rag Cutterone who cut up rags into small pieces to be used for making paper etc.
Rag Gatherersemployed to clear the rags from the machinery in the mills (usually children)
Rag Manone who went from street to street collecting and selling old clothes and rags
Rag & Bone Manone who went from street to street with a cart and collected any old rubbish, usually in exchange for a small item, e.g. a block of soapstone
Rag Pickersorted through the leftover rags to find reusable ones
Rakerstreet sanitation worker
Ratonerrat catcher
Rattlewatchtown watchman
Rectifierone who distilled alcoholic spirits
Redarinterpreter of dreams
Redsmithgoldsmith
Reederworked with reeds for hedging or thatching
Reedmakermade the pipe for a musical instrument or made a weavers implement (a reed) or reed cloth or the comb used in tapestry
Reeleroperated the machine that wound the yarn onto the bobbin
Reevechurch warden
Reevershriever; To make or go to confession; To hear confessions
Registrarofficial who registers events such as land purchases or births
Renovatorone who repaired clothing
Revenuertaxman who enforces tax laws on liquor
RickmasterCaptain of Horse
Riddlerwool stapler
Rifterereaper
RiggerHoist tackle worker
RipperSeller of fish
Rivermanworker on a river boat
Rockmanworked in a quarry usually placing the charges on the rockface
Rockgetterrock salt miner
Roller Covererone who covered the rollers for the spinning process
Rolleyway Manmaintained the underground road in the mines
Roll Turnercarder of wool, cotton etc into rolls prior to spinning
Roman Cementer / Pastererone who worked with roman cement used in stuccoing
RoperMaker of rope or nets
Roverarcher or operator of a machine used in cotton mills which prepared the carded fibre into rolls
Rodmansurveyor's assistant
Rubbisher / Rubblersorted the small stones in the quarries
Rugmandealer in rugs
Runnersmuggler, messenger and ironically one who worked for the magistrate best remembered as Bow Street Runners
Rustlercattle thief
SaddlerOne who makes, repairs or sells saddles or other furnishings for horses
Saddle Tree Makerone who made the frames for saddles that the saddler used
Saggar (also Sagger) Makerone who made the fireclay containers in which the stoneware was placed ready for firing
Saggar (also Sagger) Maker’s Bottom Knockerwas the saggar maker's assistant who tapped the bottom of the pots
Salt Boilerone who obtained salt by boiling water
Salter / Drysalter / Saucerone who made or dealt in salt
Sarcinet Weaversilk weaver
Saloonistsaloon keeper
Sandesmanambassador or messenger
Sand Hogthose who dug the tunnel under the river
Sandwichmanwears a sandwich billboard for advertising
SawbonesPhysician
Saw Doctormade, repaired, maintained and sharpened a wide range of cutting tools and saw blades and also maintained and aligned mechanical parts of a range of production machines
SawyerOne who saws; carpenter
Say Weaverone who made Say, material used for table cloths or bedding
Scagiola Makerone who made imitation marble
Scaleraker / Scavengeremployed by the parish to clean the streets
Scapplerone who roughly shaped the stone prior to being finished by the stonemason
Scavelmanemployed to keep the waterways and ditches clear
Schrimpschongerartisan who carves in bone, ivory, or wood
SchumackerShoemaker
Scotch Draper / Scotchmansold goods door to door with payment to be made by installments
Screenerscreened the ore at the mines surface
Scribeclerk
Scriberemployed at the docks to mark the cotton bales with the approximate weight ready for selling by the brokers
ScriblerA minor or worthless author
Scribbleremployed in a scribbling mill where the wool was roughly carded before spinning
Scrimerfencing master
Scripture Readeremployed by the local clergy to go from house to house reading parts of the bible to try and encourage people to attend church, also read scriptures during some services
ScrivenerProfessional or public copyist or writer; notary public
Scutcherbeat the flax to soften the straw in the bundles
Scullery Maidfemale servant who performed all the menial tasks
Scullionmale servant who performed all the menial tasks
ScrutineerElection judge
Seal Presseremployed in the glass industry to seal the bath against air intake which could spoil the finished surface
Searchercustoms man
Secret Springerone made watch springs
Seedsmansower of seeds
Sedgemanskilled workman who applied sedge (type of grass) which was used as an early roofing material
Self Acting Minderone in charge of the automatic spinning mule in the mills
Semi Lorermaker of leather thongs
Sempsterseamstress
SeneschalA senior steward at the Manor
Sewer Hunter (also see Toshhr)scavenger who concentrated on the sewers trying to find valuable objects
Sewer Ratbricklayer who specialised in making and repairing sewers and tunnels
Sewing Clerkcollector of clothing piecework
Sewsterseamstress
Sextonemployee or officer of a church who cares and maintains church property and sometimes rang bells and dug graves
Shagreen Case Makerone who worked with shagreen leather
Shanty Manlumberman
Sharecroppertenant farmer who would be paid with part of the crop
Shearerremoved the fleece from sheep
Sheargrindersharpened shears, scissors
Shearman or Shermanshearer of cloth, metal
Sheath Makerone who made scabbards for swords
Sheepmansheep herder
Shepsterdressmaker
ShinglerA roof tiler who used wooden tiles (shingles)
Ship Husbandrepairer of ships while in harbor
Ship Masterowner or captain of a ship
Shipwrightconstructor or repairer or ships
Shoe Finderseller of shoe maker's tools
Shoesmithcobbler, one who shoed horses
Shoe Wiperservant who polished shoes
Shot Firerone in charge of blasting in mines or quarries
Shragerone who trimmed and pruned trees
ShrieveSheriff
Shuffleryardman on the farms
Shunterone who moved rolling stock around the railway yards
Shustershoe maker
Shuttle Makermade the shuttles for the weaving mills
Sicklemanreaper
Sidesmanone who assisted the churchwarden
Silk Engine Turnerturned the wheel on automatic silk weaving looms
Silk Throwerworker in the silk industry
Silkersewed the ends of the fabric to prevent the layers from separating
Silk Dresserprepared the silk for weaving
Silk Mercersold silk cloth and items made from silk
Silk Twistersilk spinner
Simpleragriculturist that we would call herbalist today
Silversmithworked with silver
Sissor or Cissortailor
Sizerapplied the size to cloth or worked in a paper mill
Skeiner Makermade wheels used in spinning industry upon which yarn was wound
Skepper / Skelperone who made and sold beehives
Skinkertapster in an ale house
Skinnerdealer in hides, mule driver
Skipmakerone who made the skips used in mining and quarrying for moving men or materials to the surface
Skippermaster of a ship
Slapper / Slaperone who worked in a pottery preparing the clay for the potter
SlaterRoofer
Slaymakerapparently an Old English name meaning maker of slay's--wooden pegs used in weaving
SlopsellerSeller of ready-made clothes in a slop shop
Slubberoperated the machine used to prepare cotton for spinning
Slubber Dofferremoved the bobbins from the spindles in the mills
Smackmanworked on a sailing ship (as a sloop or cutter) used chiefly in coasting and fishing
Smallware Makerwho made smallware, e.g. tapes, braids etc
Smelterworker in a metal smelter, smelt fisherman
Smiddy / Smithmetal worker
Smugsmithsmuggler
Snapperworker in glass factory who placed molded bottle (by neck) into furnace hole
Snobscat / SnobOne who repaired shoes
Snuffer Makermade the candle snuffer
Soap Boiler (Soper)soap maker
Sojourner Clothiertravelling clothes salesman
Solicitorlawyer
SorterTailor
Soutershoemaker
Spalliertin worker who performs chiefly menial tasks
Sperviterkeeper of sparrows
Spicergrocer or dealer in spices
Spinnerspins yarn
SpinsterA woman who spins or an unmarried woman
Splitteroperated a splitting machine or one who split things by hand, e.g. stone, timber etc.
Spoonermade spoons
Spurrer / SpurrierMaker of spurs
SquireCountry gentleman; farm owner; justice of peace
Supercargoofficer on merchant ship in charge of cargo
Sutlerfollowed soldiers to encampments, set up tents to sell supplies, foodstuffs and dry goods
Stablerostler
Stallmankeeper of a market stall
Stampmanworker of an ore crushing machine
Stationerbookseller, seller of paper & writing implements
Statistpolitician
Stay Makercorset maker
Steeple Jackerpainted flag poles etc.
Steersmanship's helmsman
Stentereroperated the cloth finishing machine
Step Boyemployed to help passengers to enter or leave the coach
Stevedorelaborer who unloads and loads ships' cargoes
Stewardmanager of property, purveyor of supplies or someone who attended passengers on conveyance
Stitcherone who does decorative stitching
Stockingerknitter, weaver, or dealer in stockings
Stokertends the fire of an engine boiler
Stoneman / Stonewardena surveyor of highways
Stone Pickeremployed to remove the stones from the farmers fields before planting
Stone Workersworked with stone e.g. masons, quarriers etc.
Storemanone responsible for stored goods
Stowyerone who stowed the nets away on fishing boats
Stravaigervagrant
Straw Joinerone who thatched roofs
Straw Plaiterone who made straw braids for the hat industry
Streakerone who prepared the body for burial
Street Orderly / Boystreet cleaner
Strikerblacksmiths helper or harpooned the whale
Stripperemployed in the woollen trade to remove the rubbish from the carding machines
Stringermade the strings for bows
Stuff Gowsmanjunior barrister
Stuff Weaverwove stuff (the coarse part of flax)
Sucksmithone who made ploughshares
Sumnersummoner or apparitor
Sumpterporter
Supercargo Officeron merchant ship who is in charge of cargo and the commercial concerns of the ship
Sutlermerchant or peddler in an army camp
Swailermiller or dealer in grain
Swainherdsman
Sweepchimney sweep
Swell Makerone who made shallow baskets
Swineyard / Swineherderpig keeper
Swinglerone who beats flax to remove woody parts
Sword Cutlersword maker
Tablerboarding house operator
Tackleran overlooker of power loom weavers
Tacksmanmiddleman who leased a large piece of land from the owner and sublet it in small lots
Tailorone who made or repaired clothes
Tallow Chandlermade or sold candles
Tally Clerkkept count of goods arriving or departing from warehouses, docks etc
Tallyman / Tallyfellowone who sold goods that were paid for in installments
Tan Bark Strippercollected the bark that was used in the tanning process
TannerOne who tans (cures) animal hides into leather
Taper Weaverone who made the wicks for candles
Tapiter / Tapicerone who wove worsted cloth
TapleyOne who puts the tap in an ale cask
Tappiologistsomeone who taps the wheels of trains to check for cracks and flaws
Tapsterbartender or barmaid
Tar Boyapplied tar (as antiseptic) to sheep when they were nicked by shearers
TaskerReaper
Tasselerone who made tassels used in furnishings or nobleman
Tavernerinnkeeper
Tawer / Tawyerwhite leather maker
Teamer / Teamer Man / TeamsterOne who drives a team for hauling
Teaserone who opens up matted wool for carding
Teemerperson who emptied grain from the cart or who poured the molten steel into the moulds
Tenter / Tentererone who stretched the cloth on a machine while it was drying or looked after and maintained the machine used in the process
Textorweaver
Thacker / Thatcherone who covered roofs with straw or reeds
Thirdboroughan under constable
Thresherone who separated the grain from the husks and straw
Throwsterone in the textile trade who twisted the strands of fibre together into yarn
Ticket Writerperson (usually female) who hand wrote or painted the price tickets on goods displayed for sale and painted the signs that go up to make a window display
Tickney Man / Womansold earthenware from town to town
Tide Gauger / Surveyormonitored the state of the tide
Tidesman / Tide waiterCustoms inspector
Tiemakerone who made wooden railway ties
Tigersmall groom or pageboy in livery
Tilerone who put tiles in place either on the roof or floor
Tillerfarmer
Tillmanplowman
Times Ironerservant responsible for ironing the daily newspaper
Tinctordyer
TinkerAn itinerant tin pot and pan seller and repairman
Tinmana tinsmith or tinker
Tinnertin miner, tinsmith
Tinter / Teinterartists who performs tinting
Tipperone who put the metal tips on arrows etc.
Tipplerkept an ale house
TipstaffPoliceman
Tirewomanfemale dresser, especially in the theater
Tixtorweaver
Tobacco Spinnermaker of cigars
Todhunteremployed by the parish to hunt foxes
Toe Ragwho worked at the docks as a corn porter
Toilinet Manufacturermade toilinet (a kind of quilting)
Toller / Tollgate Keeper / Tollie / Tolman / Turnpike Keeperworked at the toll gate to collect fees for use of the road
TonsorLatin for barber
Tool Helvermade tool handles
Topmansailor who works in the ship's rigging
Top Sawyerupper man in a saw pit
Topsmanhead cattle drover
Touch Holerone who worked in the gun manufacturing industry
Tosher (also see Sewer Hunter)sewer hunters were formerly, and indeed still are, called by the name of toshers, the articles which they pick up in the course of their wanderings along the shore being known among themselves by the general term tosh
Tow Card Makerone who made tow cards, used in the textile industry
Town Chaberlainone who looked after the towns affairs
Town Crierone who made public announcements in the streets
Town Husbandemployed by the parish to collect the money from the fathers of illegitimate children for their upkeep
Townswaitercustoms man
Tozerworked in the wool mills employed to tose or tease the cloth
Trammeryoung person who worked in the mines
Tramplerlawyer
Tranqueterperson who made hoops
Tranterpeddler
Trapperemployed in the mines to open and shut the doors for the miners
TraversToll bridge collection
Treen Makermade domestic articles from wood
Treenail Makerone who made the long wooden pins used in shipbuilding
Trenchermakermade wooden boards or platters for serving food from or cutting and slicing food on
Trenchermancook
Trepangerone who used a circular saw to cut timber
Trimmertrims a ship by rearranging its cargo
Troacherpeddler
Tronerweighing official at the markets
Trotter / Trotman / Trottmessenger
Trouchman / Truchmaninterpreter
Troversmuggler
Truggerone who made long shallow baskets
Tubberone who made tubs and barrels i.e. a cooper
TubmanEnglish barrister
TuckerCleaner of cloth goods
Tucker Inmaid who attended the bedroom and "tucked in the bedclothes"
TurnerA person who turns wood on a lathe into spindles
Turnkeyprison warder or jail keeper
Turnspitone who operated the spit handle
Tweenie / Tweenymaid who worked "between the stairs" she assisted the cooks and the housemaids
Twister / Twistererone who operated the machine used for twisting yarns and threads together
Twist Handone who operated a lace machine
Ulnagerone appointed to examine the quality of woollen goods to be sold
Upholderupholsterer and also a seller of secondhand goods
Upright Workerchimney sweep
Valetmale servant that attended a nobleman or gentleman
Valuatorwho valued objects
Venator (Venur)huntsman
Vassalservant of the lowest order
Vatmanone who put the paper pulp into the moulds in paper-making industry or worked with vats e.g. in beer and wine making
Verdererofficial in charge of the royal forest
Vergerone who worked with the priest in the running the church
Verge Makerone who made the spindles used in clocks and watches
Verrierglazier
Vestment Makerone who made the gowns worn by priests
VictualerA tavern keeper, or one who provides an army, navy, or ship with food
Viewerone who worked at the mines in a managerial capacity
Villeinone who paid dues to the lord of the manor in return for use of the land
Vintager / Vineroongrape farmer, wine maker
Vintner / Vinterwine merchant
Virginal Playerplayer of a musical instrument similar to a harpsichord
VulcanBlacksmith
Wabsterweaver
Wadsetterunder Scottish law a creditor to whom a wadset is made; a wadset is a right, by which lands, or other heritable subjects, are impignorated by the proprietor to his creditor in security of his debt
WagonerTeamster not for hire
Wailerone employed in the mines to remove the impurities from the coal
Wainwrightbuilder or repairer of wagons
Wait / Wakemannight watchman
Waiter Customs Officer / Tide Waiterone who waited on the tide to collect duty on goods brought in
Walker / Waulkmillercloth worker (see also FULLER)
Walking-Stick Filerone who made walking sticks
Wallerone who built walls either brick or dry stone, also a person who worked making coarse salt
Wanter / Wantcatchermole catcher
Warderin charge of prisoners
Warehousemanin charge of or employee in a warehouse
Warperset the warp thread on the looms or employed to move boats by hauling on the warps (the ropes attached to the boats)
Warrenerin charge of a portion of land used for breeding rabbits and other small game
Washmantin coater
Wastemanchecked the old workings for gas and maintaining them in the mines or employed to remove waste
Watch Finisherassembled watches and clocks
Watchmantown official who guarded the streets at night
Water Bailiffofficial in charge of the fishing rights on a stretch of water
Water Carriercarted and sold fresh water
Water Gildertrapped water fowl
Water Leader / Leder / Lodertransported and sold fresh drinking water
WatermanBoatman who plies for hire
Wattle Hurdle Makermade a type of fence from wattle to keep the sheep in
Way-Makeremployed to make roads
Way Mansurveyor of roads
Weatherspyastrologer
WebsterOperator of looms
Weigherworked on the docks to weigh the cargo as it was unloaded
Wellmasterone in charge of the local well with the responsibility of ensuring clean water for the village
Well Sinkerdug wells
Well Wrightmade the winding equipment used to raise the bucket in the well
Wet Glovermade leather gloves
Wet Nursewoman employed to suckle the child of another (common practice with the rich)
Wetterdampened paper during the printing process or in the glass industry who detached the glass by wetting
Whackerhorse or oxen team driver
WharfingerOwner of a wharf
Wheel Tapperrailway worker who checked for cracked wheels by striking them with a long-handled hammer and listening for a clear ring
Wheelerwheel maker, attended to the spinning wheel in the textile industry and one who led the pit ponies that pulled the tubs underground in the mines
WheelwrightOne who made or repaired wheels; wheeled carriages, etc.
Wherrymanin charge of a wherry (a small light rowing boat)
Whighorse driver (Scottish term)
Whipcord Maker / Whipmakermade whips
Whipperinmanaged the hounds in a hunt
Whitearhide cleaner
White Limerplastered walls using lime and water plaster
WhitesmithTinsmith; worker of iron who finishes or polishes the work
Whitening Roll Makermade the whitening used in whitening walls of cottages
Whittawerone who made saddles and harness
Whitener / Whitester / Whitsterone who bleached cloth
WhitewingStreet sweeper
WhitsterBleach of cloth
Whittawerpreparer of white leather
Willow Plaiter / Weaverone who made baskets etc.
Windstersilk winder
Woodbreakerone who made wooden water casks
Woodranger / Wood Reeve / Woodwardin charge of the forest or woods
Woolcomberoperated machines that separate the fibres ready for spinning in woolen industry
Wool Driverone who brought the wool to market
Wool Factorwool merchants agent
Woolen Billy Piecerworked in the woolen mills to piece together the broken yarns
Wool Man /Wool Sorter / Staplerone who sorted the wool into different grades
Woolsted Mana seller of woollen cloth (from worsted man)
Wool Winderone who made up balls of wool for selling
Worsted Manufacturer / Shearmanone who made worsted
WrightWorkman, especially a construction worker
Wyrthlaborer
Xylographerone who used and made wooden blocks used in printing illustrations
Yardmanrailroad yard worker
Yatmangate keeper
Yearmanone contracted to work for a year
YeomanFarmer who owns his own land
Zincographerdesigner who etched in relief a pattern on zinc plates used for printing
Zitheristplayer of a simple, flat many-stringed instrument
Zoetrope Makercraftsman who made zoetropes, an optical toy in the form of a cylinder with a series of pictures painted on the inner surface which gave the impression of continuous motion when viewed through slits in the rotating cylinder
Zoographerdescribed and classified

Submitted by Dan Burrows, Updated by Rebecca Maloney

Page content reviewed and/or updated by the Advisory Board 2022 Dec


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