Finding Your Ancestors: Fundamentals – Occupations

This article is part of a series: Finding Your Ancestors: Fundamentals.

If you are like me, you want to know as much as possible about the lives of your ancestors. Determining their stories is a challenge, especially if no one is alive who remembers the ancestor you are researching.

But fortunately, many documents record at least, the occupation of the target ancestor, and that can tell you a lot about the person.

Knowing how the ancestor worked tells you a lot about how they lived and possibly their standing in the community.

Documents That Include Occupations

• Alumni Directories
• Apprenticeship Records
• Birth Certificate/Record of the child –  the parents’ occupations are often provided
• Census Records
• City Directories
• Death Certificates
• Draft Cards
• Marriage Certificates
• Membership in Fraternal Societies
• Military Enlistment and Other Records
• Miscellaneous Court Documents
• Mortuary Records
• Naturalization Records
• Newspaper Articles of all kinds – Legal notices, advertisements, and classified ads are often useful
• Obituaries
• Passenger Lists
• Passport Applications
• Patent Applications
• Photographs –  although not written – if in some kind of uniform, this can be a good hint as to occupation
• Recorded local and town histories
• Social Security Applications – Employer’s name is often included
• Union Membership Documents
• Voter Registrations
• Wills/Probate

Old Occupations and Their Meanings

When searching old newspapers and census records, we are often faced with unusual names of occupations, and we have no clue as to their meaning because the terms are not in use today.

I have collected a list of about 280 old occupations and their meanings from a variety of sources. Dan Burrows and Jan Cortez are two people who are named as sources in various websites listing old occupations and their meanings. Thanks to them. Although I didn’t reference her writings, Jane Hewitt has written an e-book full of old occupations and meanings, entitled “Dictionary of Old Occupations”.

Below is a list of old occupations and their meanings:

• Abactor – Cattle Thief
• Abigail – Ladies Maid
• Accipitary – Falconer
• Accomptant – Accountant
• Ackerman – A Plowman Or Oxherder
• Ale Draper – Seller Of Beer And Ale
• Alewife – A Proprietor Of A Tavern
• All spice – Grocer
• Almoner – Giver Of Charity To The Needy
• Alnager – A Wool Inspector
• Amanuensis – Secretary Or Stenographer
• Aproneer – Shopkeeper
• Artificer – A Soldier Mechanic Who Does Repairs
• Backmaker – Cooper Who Makes Tubs, Barrels, And Buckets From Wood
• Badger – Licensed Pauper Who Wears A Badge As His Certificate
• Bagman – Traveling Salesman
• Bailie – Bailiff
• Balister – Archer
• Bandster – Worker Who Binds Wheat Bundles After Harvesting
• Basil Worker – Tanner Who Works With Goat And Sheep Hides
• Batman – A Military Officer’s Personal Assistant
• Baxter – Baker
• Biddy – Female Servant
• Bluestocking – Female Writer
• Boniface – Keeper Of An Inn
• Bowyer – A Bowmaker
• Brazier – One Who Works With Brass
• Brewster – Beer Manufacturer
• Brightsmith – Metal Worker
• Burgomaster – Mayor
• Caddy Butcher – Butcher Who Works Only In Horse Meant
• Caffler – Rag And Bone Man, Peddler
• Calciner – Worker Who Makes Lime From Powdered Bones
• Calenderer – Worker On The Calender Machine Used For Finishing Papers And Fabrics
• Carder – Spinning Mill Worker
• Cardroomer – Worker In The Carding Room Of A Mill
• Carnifex – A Regular Butcher
• Catchpole – An Official Who Pursues Those With Delinquent Debts
• Caulker – One Who Filled Up Cracks (In Ships Or Windows Or Seams)
• Chaisemaker – Carriage Maker
• Chandler – Candlemaker
• Chevener – Embroiderer Of Fine Stockings
• Chiffonnier – Wig Maker
• Claker – Magician Or Astrologer
• Clark – Clerk
• Clerk – Clergyman, Cleric
• Cobbler – A Shoemaker
• Cohen – Priest
• Collier – Coal Miner
• Colporteur – Peddler Of Books
• Cooper – A Maker Or Repairer Of Barrels, Casks, And Tubs
• Cordwainer – Shoemaker
• Costermonger – Peddler Of Fruits And Vegetables
• Crocker – Potter
• Crowner – Coroner
• Currier – A Leather Tanner, Or A Horse Groom
• Danter – Female Overseer In Silk-Winding Room
• Deal Porter – Specialist Who Hauled Wood Between Ship And Shore
• Delfman – Salesman Of Delft Pottery From Holland
• Deviller – Operator Of The Machine Which Shreds Cloth At The Fabric Mill
• Docker – Dock Worker Who Loads and Unloads Cargo
• Doffer – Worker Who Replaces Empty Loom Spools With Full Ones In The Weaving Industry
• Dowser – One Who Finds Water Using A Rod Or Witching Stick
• Dragoon – Cavalryman
• Draper – A Dealer In Dry Goods
• Drayman – A Driver Of A Heavy Freight Cart
• Dresser – A Surgeon’s Assistant In A Hospital
• Dripping Man – Seller Of Drippings (Fat)
• Drover – One Who Drives Cattle, Sheep, Etc. To Market
• Drudge – Menial Laborer
• Drummer – Traveling Salesman
•  Dubber – Worker In Fabric Mill Who Raises The Nap Of The Cloth
• Duffer – Peddler
• Ealdorman – Kings Court Deputy
• Eggler – An Egg Seller
• Ellerman – Seller Of Lamp Oil
• Enumerator – Census Taker
• Eremite – Hermit
• Estafette – Mounted Courier
• Eyer – Worker Who Makes The Eyeholes In Needles
• Factor – Agent, Commission Merchant
• Fanner – Worker Who Winnows Grain
• Farrier – A Blacksmith, One Who Shoes Horses
• Faulkner – Falconer
• Feather Mason – Worker Who Splits Stone Using Steel Tools
• Fell Monger – Remover Of Hair Or Wool From Hides In Leather Making
• Feller – Woodcutter
• Festitian – Physician
• Fiddler – Clay Worker
• Fish Bobber – Mariner Who Ferries Fish Cargo From The Trawler To The Wharf
• Fishmonger – A Fish Seller
• Flauner – Confectioner
• Fletcher – Arrow Maker
• Fossetmaker – Worker Who Makes Taps For Kegs And Barrels
• Fower – Street Cleaner
• Friezer – One Who Embroiders Cloth With Silver And Gold
• Fuller – One Who Fulls Cloth
• Galloon Maker – Maker Of Metal Trim For Military Uniforms
• Gaoler – Jailer
• Gater – Watchman
• Gaunter – Glovemaker
• Glazier – Window Glassman
• Gorseman – Seller Of Gorse And Hay For Broom Making
• Gossoon – Servant Boy
• Granger – Farmer
• Groover – Miner
• Haberdasher – Seller Of Clothing and/or Accessories
• Hacker – Maker Of Hoes
• Hairweaver – Maker Of Horsehair Cloth
• Hatcheler – One Who Combed Out Or Carded Flax
• Hawker – A Peddler
• Haymonger – Dealer In Hay
• Hayward – An Official Responsible For Fences And Hedges
• Henchman – Horseman Or Groom
• Higgler – Itinerant Peddler
• Hillier – Roof Tiler
• Hind – Farm Laborer
• Hobbler – A Person Who Tows Boats On A Canal Or River
• Holster – A Groom Who Took Care Of Horses, Often At An Inn
• Hooker – Reaper
• Hooper – One Who Made Hoops For Casks And Barrels
• Horner – Maker Of Cutlery Handles Made Of Horn
• Hostler Or Ostler – Horse Groomer
• Howdy Wife – Midwife
• Huckster – Street Peddler
• Hurrier – Coal Haulers Who Work Underground Ferrying Coal
• Husbandman – Farmer
• Ice Cutter – Someone Who Saws Blocks Of Ice For Refrigeration
• Idleman – Person Living Without Work And Of Their Means
• In-bye Worker – Miner Who Works The Coalface
• Ironmonger – A Seller Of Items Made Of Iron
• Jagger – Fish Peddler
• Jigger – Potter Who Works To Shape The Bottoms Of Pieces
• Jinny (or Ginny) – Miner Who Operates The Ginny Carriage
• Joiner – Skilled Carpenter
• Journeyman – One Who Had Served His Apprenticeship And Mastered His Craft
• Joyner/Joiner – A Skilled Carpenter
• Jute Preparer – One Who Beat And Prepared Jute Plants Prior To Them Being Turned Into Rope
• Kedger – Fisherman
• Keeler – Bargeman
• Kellogg – Animal Slaughterer
• Kempster – Wool Comber
• Knacker – One Who Buys Animals Or Animal Carcasses To Use As Animal Food Or Fertilizer
• Kneller – Chimney Sweep
• Knocker-up – A Professional Waker, Who Knocks On Doors Or Windows To Rouse People From Sleep
• Knoller – Bellringer
• Lagger – Sailor
• Lamplighter – Someone Who Lights, Extinguishes, And Refuels Gas Street Lamps
• Lapidary – A Jeweler
• Lardner – Keeper Of The Cupboard
• Laster – Shoemaker
• Lavender – Washer Woman
• Leach – Doctor Or Veterinarian
• Leavelooker – Food Inspector
• Lector – Someone Who Reads To Factory Workers For Entertainment
• Lederer – Leather Maker
• Leech – Physician
• Leightonward – Gardener
• Limeburner – Worker Who Processes Lime From Limestone By Burning
• Linkerboy – Man Who Carries A Lantern For Hire At Night
• Log Driver – Someone Who Floats And Guides Logs Downriver For Transportation
• Longshoreman – Stevedore
• Lormer – Maker Of Horse Gear
• Malender – Farmer
• Maltster – Brewer
• Manciple – Steward
• Mangler – Worker Who Operates The Laundry Mangle
• Marbler – Worker Who Makes Paper Looked Marbled
• Mason – Bricklayer
• Melder – Corn Miller
• Milliner – Maker Of Ladies’ Hats
• Mintmaster – One Who Issued Local Currency
• Misegatherer – Local Tax Collector
• Monger – Seller Of Goods (Ale, Fish)
• Morroco – Worker Of Leather From Morroco
• Mudlark – Scavenger Specializing In Sweeping The Banks Of Rivers At Low Tide
• Muleskinner – Teamster
• Neatherder – Herds Cows
• Ordinary Keeper – Innkeeper
• Ostler – Groomsman At An Inn Or An Innkeeper In General
• Owler – Wool Smuggler
• Packman – Peddler
• Pantler – Butler
• Pardoner – Salesman Of Official Church Pardons (Papal Or Bishop)
• Parminster – Stone Roofer
• Pattern Maker – A Maker Of A Clog Shod With An Iron Ring. A
• Pedascule – Schoolteacher
• Peregrinator – Itinerant Wanderer
• Peruker – Wigmaker
• Pettifogger – Shyster Lawyer
• Pigman – Crockery Dealer
• Pinsetter – Someone Who Sets Bowling Pins Back Up After Each Bowl
• Plain Worker – Sewer Working Plain Seams (As Opposed To Embroidery Work)
• Plowright – A Maker Of Plows And Other Farm Implements
• Plumber – Originally, One Who Installed Lead Roofing Or Set Lead Frames For Windows
• Porter – Door Keeper
• Puddler – Wrought Iron Worker
• Pumbum Worker – Plumber
• Quarrel Picker – Glass Installer
• Quarrier – Quarry Worker
• Quarryman – A Stonecutter
• Quillwright – Wheelwright
• Quister – Worker Who Bleaches Fabric
• Raker – A Street Cleaner
• Rattlewatch – Town Watchman
• Resurrectionist – Someone Who Digs Up Recently Buried Corpses For Use As Cadavers
• Rigger – Hoist Tackle Worker
• Ripper – Seller Of Fish
• Roper – Maker Of Rope Or Nets
• Saddler – One Who Makes, Repairs Or Sells Saddles Or Other Furnishings For Horses
• Salter – Roofer
• Sawbones – Physician
• Sawyer – Lumber Worker Or Saw Operator
• Scavelman – Cleaner Of Ditches
• Schumacker – Shoemaker
• Scriber – Marker Of Measured Bails Of Cotton At The Docks
• Scribler – A Minor Or Worthless Author
• Scrivener – Professional Or Public Copyist Or Writer, Or Notary Public
• Scrutineer – Election Judge
• Sempster – Seamstress
• Ship Chandler – Made And Sold ‘Fixings’ For Ships (Ropes, Shackles, Sailcloth)
• Shookmaker – Maker Of Shipping Crates And Fruit Boxes
• Shrieve – Sheriff
• Skutcher – Worker Who Beat Flax To Obtain The Tow Inside For Making Linen
• Slater – Roofer
• Slopseller – Seller Of Ready-Made Clothes In A Slop Shop
• Snobscat – Repaired Shoes
• Solicitor – City Or County Attorney
• Sorter – Tailor
• Spinster – A Woman Who Spins Or An Unmarried Woman
• Spurrer – Maker Of Spurs
• Squire – Country Gentleman, Farm Owner, Or Justice Of The Peace
• Stavemaker – One Who Cut And Bent The “Staves,” Narrow, Shaped Strips Of Wood That Made A Barrel
• Stevedore – A Dockworker
• Stuffgrownsman (Stuff Gowsman) – Junior Barrister
• Tanner – One Who Tans (Cures) Animal Hides Into Leather
• Tapley – One Who Puts The Tap In An Ale Cask
• Tasker – Reaper
• Teamster – One Who Drives A Team For Hauling
• Tenterer – Worker Who Would Hang Finished Cloth On Hooks To Dry Before Sale Thatcher – Roofer
• Tickneyman – Traveling Salesman Specializing In Pottery
• Tide Waiter – Custom Inspector
• Tiller – Farmer
• Tinker – Repairer Of Pots And Pans
• Tinsmith – One Who Makes Or Repairs Things Made Of Light Metal, Like Tin.
• Tipper – Maker Of Arrow Tips
• Tipstaff – Policeman
• Topper – Spinning Mill Worker
• Tracer – Drafter Who Traces Designs Using Wax Or Trace Paper
• Travers – Toll Bridge Collection
• Treenmaker – Artisan Of Wooden Housewares
• Tucker – Cleaner Of Cloth Goods
• Turner – A Person Who Turns Wood On A Lathe Into Spindles
• Ulnager – Woolens Inspector
• Underviewer or Underlooker – Mine Supervisor
• Upright Worker – Chimney Sweep
• Vabster – Weaver
• Valet – Personal Assistant To A Wealthy Man
• Verderer – Game Warden
• Victualer – A Tavern Keeper Or One Who Provides An Army, Navy, Or Ship With Food
• Vulcan – Blacksmith
• Wagoner – Teamster Not For Hire
• Wainwright – Wagon Maker
• Waiter – Customs Officer Or Tide Waiter
• Wakeman – Night Watchman
• Warrener – Gamekeeper And Butcher For The Rabbit Warrens On A Large Estate
• Waterman – Boatman Who Plies For Hire
• Way Maker – Road Builder
• Webster – Operator Of Looms
• Weirkeeper – A Fish Trapper
• Wellwright – Maker Of The Gears For Well Mechanisms
• Wharfinger – Owner Of A Wharf
• Wheelwright – One Who Made Or Repaired Wheels, Wheeled Carriages
• Wherryman – Sailor Of A Flat-Bottomed
• Whitesmith – Worker Of Cool Metals, As Opposed To A Blacksmith.
• Whitewing – Street Sweeper
• Whitster – Bleacher Of Cloth
• Wright – Workman, Especially A Construction Worker
• Wyrth – Laborer
• Yagger – Fish Peddler
• Yatman – Gatekeeper
• Yeoman – Farmer Who Owns His Own Land

A Free Online Occupational Records Database

A while ago, I stumbled upon a very interesting genealogy database that I want to share with you. The author of the site, Ray Gurganus, has created several databases, with an Occupational Records database being the most interesting to me. There are almost 2 million records in this database, and it is searchable. It is free.

Check it out at https://www.ourfamtree.org/records/