Our Forums
Welcome Message
Members Research
Become a Member
Brickwalls
Surname Database
Add to Database
Our Success Stories
NEW
Latest Stories
Send us your Success
Gentracers Radio
Radio Requests
Schedule
Gentracers Toolbar
Add New Site email
Download Toolbar
Latest
Sites Added
Occupations
Comprehensive List
Abbreviations
List of Abbreviations
Members Gallery
2004 - 2006
Air Crash
Project
Our Reasons
UK
Aircraft Crashes
Famous Trees
Bernard Cribbins
NEW
Reunions
Carlisle 2008
Stratton 2009
Frobisher 2010
Funny and Peculiar
Census Images
Photos
Occupations
Rank and Trades
|
[A] [C] [E] [G] [I] [K] [M] [O] [Q] [S] [U] [W] [Y]
[B] [D] [F] [H] [J] [L] [N] [P] [R] [T] [V] [X] [Z]
Return to
Gentracers Home Page
ABLE SEAMANA seaman who reached a standard of skill above that of Ordinary Seaman.
ACADEMICA scholarly person, of a university, etc.
ACADEMICIANA member of an academy, especially of the Royal Academy of Arts.
ACATERA person who supplied food provisions, e.g. a ships chandler. Orig. Fr. achateur, meaning buyer.
ACCIPITRARYACCOMPTANTACCOUCHEURA person, not always a qualified physician, who assisted women in child birth.
ACCOUNTANTA person involved in maintenance and auditing of accounts and financial matters
ACCOUTREA supplier or maker of military clothing or equipment.
ACCOUTREMENT MAKERA supplier or maker of military clothing or equipment.
ACKERMANACREMANACTUARYAn expert in statistics, especially one who calculates insurance risks, a person who kept public accounts of business.
ADMINISTRATORAn appointee of the court who settles the estate of a deceased who died without leaving a will, or where an executor is unwilling or unable to serve as executor.
ADVENTURERA person who seeks adventures; a mercenary soldier; a commercial speculator; one who lives by his wits.
ADVERTISEMENT CONVEYANCERADVOCATEA Solicitor, a Lawyer, a person who acted as a prosecutor in a court of law in Scotland.
ADVOCATE DEPUTEA Scottish law officer who could act as public prosecutor.
ADVOWEEA person who possessed an Advowson, normally a nobleman, who had the right to present a clergyman to a benefice.
AERONAUTA balloonist or a trapeze artist in the circus or music halls.
AFFEERORAn official in the manorial courts who assessed the monetary penalty. They also collected taxes and dues and were also called Assessor.
AG LABsee ARGICULTURAL LABOURER.
AGENTA person who acted on behalf of a company or another person.
AGISTER An official of the Royal Forest. In the New Forest, it is the title for the person in charge of the ponies.
AGRICULTURAL LABOURER (Ag. Lab.)
An unskilled worker on a farm.
AGRICULTURISTA person involved with land cultivation or animal husbandry.
ALABASTERERA person who worked with alabaster.
ALBLASTEREALCHEMISTA medieval chemist who claimed to be able to turn base metals into gold.
ALDERMANA senior councillor one position down from Mayor in the local council.
ALE CONNERALE DRAPERALE FOUNDERAn official who tested quality and measure of ale served in public houses
ALE TASTERA person who tested ale and beer for quality first recorded in 1377 in London. Appointed by the Manor and forerunner of the Inspector for Weights & Measures
ALE TUNNERA worker employed by the brewery to fill ale casks (tuns} with ale.
ALEWIFEA woman who keeps an alehouse or tavern.
ALL SPICEALMANAC MANAn official appointed by the Court of Sewers who warned the inhabitants of the Trent River area of higher than normal tides
ALMONER[1] Distributor of charity to the needy.
[2] The person in charge of an Almshouse.
[3] The title of hospital managers until the 1970's.
ALMSMANA person who received alms or charity.
ALNAGERAn official who examined the quality of woollen goods and stamped them with the town seal of approval.
AMANUENSISA person who writes what another dictates (words or music) or copies manucripts; a secretary or stenographer.
AMBER & JET CUTTERA person who cut and polished amber and jet for jewellery.
AMBER CUTTERA person who cut ambergris.
AMBLERAn officer of the Royal Stable who broke in horses.
AMEN MANANCHOR SMITHA person who made anchors.
ANCHORESSA female hermit or religious recluse.
ANCHORITEA male hermit or religious recluse.
ANGLE IRON SMITHA person who made angle iron i.e. flat iron bars bent at right angles lengthways.
ANILEPMANA smallholder (tenant of the manor).
ANIMAL & BIRD PRESERVERANKLE BEATERA young person who helped to drive the cattle to market.
ANNATTO MAKERA person who worked in the manufacture of dyes for paint or printing.
ANNUITANTA person who received an annual income not from working e.g. pensioner.
ANTIGROPELOS MAKERA person who made waterproof leggings.
ANVIL SMITHA person who made anvils and hammers for blacksmiths.
APIARIANAPOTHEECARYA chemist, druggist, pharmacist.
APPARITORAn official who summoned witnesses in the ecclesiastical courts.
APPRAISERA person who appraised the value of goods i.e. a broker.
APPRENTICEA person who was bound to a skilled worker for a specified time to learn a trade.
APRONEERA slang term used in London for a shopkeeper.
APRONMANAQUARIUS (EWAR)AQUAVITA SELLERA person who sold alcohol.
ARBITERA person who judged disputes.
ARCHERA person skilled in using a bow and arrow.
ARCHIATORARCHIL MAKERA person who made a violet dye from lichens, used in the textile industry.
ARCHIVISTA person who kept records of historical value.
ARKWRIGHTA skilled craftsman who produced "arks" (wooden chests or coffers).
ARMIGERSomeone entitled to bear heraldic arms. A squire who carried the armour of a knight.
ARMOURERA person who made suits of armour or plates of armour for buildings or ships etc.
ARTIFICER[1] A contriver (q.v.)
[2] An army or navy mechanic who does repairs to military equipment.
ARTISANARTIST IN FIREWORKSA person who prepared fireworks displays.
ASHMANASSAY MASTERThe person who determined the amount of gold or silver to go in coins.
ASSAYERA person who determined the proportions of metal in ore.
AUGER MAKERA person who made the carpenters augers (used for boring holes in wood).
AULNAGERAURIFABERAVENATOR (PLANTIFENE)
A hay and forage merchant.
AVOWRYAnother term for the lord of the manor.
AXLE TREE MAKER or TURNER
A person who made axles for coaches and wagons.
Return to top of page
BACK WASHERA person employed to clean the wool in the worsted manufacturing industry.
BACK'US BOYA kitchen servant, (from "back of the house").
BACKMAKERA person who made "backs", vats, tubs, a Cooper.
BACKSTERBADGER[1] A licensed 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).
[2] A corn miller or dealer.
[3] An itinerant food trader.
BADGY FIDDLERA boy trumpeter in the military.
BAGMANBAGNIOKEEPERA person in charge of a bath house or brothel.
BAILIEBAILIFFAn officer of the sheriff, a land steward acting on behalf of the Landowner or Landlord. In Scotland a magistrate of the burgh, also looked after the fishing rights on certain rivers.
BAILLEEBAILLIEBAIRMANBAL MAIDENA female mine worker who worked on the surface (aka Pit Brow Lass).
BALANCERA person employed in the coal mines to operate the "balance" which is a slope with a pulley at the top where empty coal tubs pulled full tubs up the slope.
BALERA person who bales of hay. In the mills it was a person who bailed wool or cotton goods.
BALISTERAn archer most commonly a crossbow-man.
BALLAD MONGERA person who sold printed ballads on the street.
BALLARD MASTERThe person in charge of loading the ballast into the hold of empty ships.
BALLAST HEAVERA person who loaded ballast into the hold of empty ships.
BALLERA person who assisted the potter by measuring out the balls of clay.
BALLER UPBAND FILERA metal worker in the gun making industry.
BANDSTERA person who bound the wheat sheaves after harvest.
BANG BEGGARAn officer of the parish who controlled the length of stay of any stranger to the parish.
BANKERA person who dug trenches and ditches to allow drainage of the land, placing the surplus earth in banks around the edge.
BANKSMANA person employed in the mining industry being in charge of the cages at the pit head. Sometimes known as a BANK MANAGER or BROWMAN.
BARBERA man who cuts men's hair and shaves beards, a men's hairdresser. See also BARBER SURGEON.
BARBER SURGEONA Barber prior to the 18c also a Surgeon. In the 18th century, an Act was passed that limited Barbers to hair-cutting, shaving, dentistry and blood letting
BARDBAREMANBAREMANBARGE MATEBARGEEBARGEMANA person who worked on or owned and operated a barge.
BARILLA MANUFACTURERA person who made 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 toll-keeper.
BARKERBARKMANA person who tanned leather using the bark of trees, later the term was also used for a person employed to attract attention at fairgrounds by shouting details of the attraction.
BARLEYMAN BARM BREWERBARMASTERThe arbiter of disputes in the lead mining industry. They were also in charge of the standard measure for the ore.
BARREL FILERA person employed in the gun manufacturing industry.
BARROWMANA person employed in the coal mines to push the barrow from the pit face to the shaft.
BARTONERThe person in charge of the monastic farm, also known as a barton.
BASIL WORKERA person who worked with sheep and goat skins.
BASKETMANA person who made baskets, and furniture from wicker, also a person employed to empty the basket of coal being offloaded from the colliers into the barges.
BASS or BAST DRESSERA person employed in dressing fibre or matting.
BATHING MACHINE PROPRIETOR
A person who owned and hired the changing huts used at the seaside in the 18c by bathers.
BATMANAn officers servant in the army.
BATT MAKERA person who made the wadding used in quilt and mattress making.
BATTLEDORE MAKERA person who made the beaters used on clothes, carpets, etc., to remove the dust. Later they made the paddles used in washing machines.
BAVEN MAKERA maker of kindling. A bavin (or baven) is a thin piece of wood or split, with the end wittled and curled with a knife and used for kindling.
BAXTERBAYWEAVERA person who wove bay (a fine woollen fabric also known as baize).
BEAD PIERCERA person employed to drill the holes in beads.
BEADLEAn officer of the parish whose principle duty was to keep order, also was the town crier.
BEADMANBEADSMANBEAMERA person employed in the textile trade to wind the warp on the roller before putting it on the loom.
BEARERA person who worked underground carrying the coal to the bottom of the pit shaft and placed it in the containers for uplifting to the surface.
BEATERA person who cleansed and thickened the cloth by treading it underwater with fullers earth, aka Fuller.
BEAVERA person who made felt used in hat making.
BEDEL(L)BEDESMAN[1] A person employed to pray for his employer.
[2] The inhabitant of an almshouse / poorhouse / hospital.
[3] A tenant employed by the manor for a specific service.
BEDMANBEDRALIn Scotland, a minor church official.
BEDWEVEREA person who made the webbing for bed frames, also a person who wove quilts.
BEEKEEPER A person who kept bees for their honey.
BEEMASTERBEESKEP MAKERA person who made beehives.
BEETLERA person who operated a beetling machine, used in the textile trade for embossing fabric.
BELHOSTEBELL HANGERA person who installed bells in churches.
BELLEYETEREBELLFOUNDERBELLMAN[1] A person employed as a watchman or town crier.
[2] A person who worked for the post office and collected letters for the mail coach by walking the streets and ringing a bell.
BELLOWFARMERA person who was responsible for the care and maintenance of the church organ.
BELLOWS MAKERA person who made bellows used for organs or blacksmiths fires.
BELLY BUILDERA person who built and fitted the interiors of pianos.
BELTERBENDERA person who cut leather.
BESOM MAKERA person who made brooms made of a bundle of birch twigs bound onto a handle which was a thicker and roughly straight branch of the same wood.
BESOMERA person who sweeps with a besom, also possibly used to describe a BESOM MAKER.
BESSWARDENA person appointed by the parish to look after its animals.
BIDDYA female servant usually of Irish stock.
BILL POSTERA person who put up notices, signs and advertisements.
BILLIARD-MARKERA person who attends on players at billiards and records the progress of the game.
BILLIERBILLITERBILLYMANA person who operated a Billy Roller, a machine used in the cotton industry to prepare the cotton for spinning.
BINDERA person who bound items e.g. books, hats etc.
BIRD BOYA person employed to scare away birds from crops.
BIRD CATCHERA person who caught birds for selling.
BIRDS NEST SELLERA person who sold birds nest collected from the wild complete with eggs, these were then hatched by domestic birds and sold as pets.
BIRLYMANIn Scotland a ground officer or parish arbiter.
BLACK BORDERERA person who made black edged stationery for funerals.
BLACK TRAY MAKERA person who made Japanned trays.
BLACKING MAKERA person who made polish for shoes.
BLADESMITHA swordmaker or knife maker.
BLAXTERBLEACHERA person who bleached cloth or paper pulp.
BLEMMEREBLENTONISTBLINDSMANA person employed by the Post Office to deal with incorrectly addressed letters and parcels.
BLOCK MAKERA person who engraved the blocks used in the printing trade.
BLOCK PRINTERA printer who used wooden blocks for printing.
BLOCKCUTTERBLOCKER[1] A person who made wooden blocks used in the hat trade.
[2] A person who laid down the blocks on which a ships keel was laid.
BLOODLETTERA person who used leeches for letting blood. This was thought to be a cure for many ailments.
BLOODMANBLOOMERA person who produced iron from ore, a bloom smithy.
BLOWER[1] A glass blower.
[2] A person who operated a "blowing machine" used to clean and separate fibres in the textile trade.
[3] A person who operated the bellows at a blacksmiths.
BLOWFEEDERA person who fed the fibres into a "blowing machine".
BLUE DYER or MAKERA person who worked with blue dye used by calico printers and laundries to stop the white materials from discolouring.
BLUESTOCKINGA nickname for a female writer. The Blue Stocking Society met in about the 1750s to talk about literature, etc, some of the men wearing ordinary blue stockings. It now means a woman who has or affects literary tastes and learning, though it is hardly used.
BLUFFERAn innkeeper or landlord of a tavern or public house.
BOARDERA person who was provided with accommodation and meals. See LODGER
BOARDING OFFICERA person who inspected ships before entering port.
BOARD LINER[1]A worker who covers cardboard with plain or ornamental paper by hand, using paste and brush, (ii) passes cardboard into a pasting machine.
BOARDMAN[1] A truant officer who checked school attendance.
[2] A tenant of manorial land who paid rent by maintaining the manor's table.
BOARDWRIGHTA person who made tables and chairs aka carpenter.
BOATMANA person who worked on a boat, predominately on rivers and canals. Also the name given to a boat repairer.
BOATSWAINA ship's officer. In Anglo-Saxon times Boatswains actually commanded ships. By 17c the Boatswain had sunk in social and professional standing. He was especially responsible for riggings and ground tackle, and kept the ship's stores of cordage, sails & associated gear.
BOBBER[1] A person who polished metals.
[2] A person who helped to unload fishing boats.
BOBBIN CARRIERA person who worked in spinning and weaving sections of the mills.
BOBBIN TURNERA person who made the bobbins used in the spinning and weaving industry.
BOBBYA nickname for a policeman, usually of constable rank.
BODEYS MAKERA person who made bodices for women’s garments.
BODGERA craftsman who made wooden chair legs and the spars. They usually worked in the actual woodland that they cut the timber in.
BODY MAKERBOILER MAKERA person who worked with metal in any industrial setting.
BOILER PLATERA person who made rolled iron plate used to make boilers for steam engines etc.
BOILERMAKERA craftsman who worked with metal in any industrial setting.
BOLLA person who looked after power looms in the weaving industry.
BOLTERA person who sifted meal.
BONDAGERA female worker on a farm who was bonded.
BONDMANA person bonded to a master for the purpose of learning a skill or trade.
BONDSMANA person who stood bond or surety for another where a bond was required by law.
BONE BUTTON TURNERA person who made buttons using a lathe.
BONE LACE MAKERA person who made pillow lace.
BONE MOULD TURNERA person who made the moulds for button manufacturers.
BONE PICKERA person who collected rags and bones aka Rag and Bone Man.
BONESETTERA person who set broken bones.
BONIFACEBOOK GILDERA person who decorated books with gold leaf.
BOOK KEEPERA person who looked after the accounts for businesses.
BOOKHOLDERThe prompter in the theatre.
BOOKMANBOONMASTERA surveyor of roads with the responsibilities of maintaining and repairing the road.
BOOT CLOSERA person who worked in the shoe trade stitching together all the parts of a shoe upper.
BOOTBINDERA person employed to operate the machines which bound footwear.
BOOTHMANBORLERA person who made cheap coarse clothing
BORSHOLDERA regional name (Kent) for a constable.
BOTCHERBOTTILERBOTTLE BOYBOTTLERA person who made leather containers for holding liquids e.g. wine flasks or water bottles.
BOTTOM KNOCKERA sagger makers assistant in the pottery industry.
BOTTOM MAKERA person who moulded the bottoms for saggers in the pottery industry.
BOTTOMERA person who worked down the pits moving the ore etc to the bottom of the shaft for removal.
BOWDLERA person who worked with iron ore.
BOWERBOWKERA person who bleached yarn. A local term in some parts of Lancashire for a butcher.
BOWLERA person who made bowls and dishes. Also a term used for people who made the rounded part of spoons before casting.
BOWLMAN / BOWLWOMANBOWLMINDERA person in charge of the vats used for washing raw wool before processing.
BOWYER A person who made bows used in archery.
BOZZLERBRABENERBRACHYGRAPHERBRAIDERA person who made cord by twisting threads or strips of leather.
BRAILLERA person who made girdles.
BRAKEMAN or BRAKESMAN
[1] A person who operated the winch at the pit head.
[2] A person who operated the braking mechanism on trains and trams.
BRASIATORBRASILERBRASS CUTTERA person who made copperplate engravings.
BRASS FINISHERA person who polished brass goods.
BRASS FOUNDERBRATMANBRAYERA person who ground things up in a mortar.
BRAZIERA person who made or repaired household items made from brass.
BREACH MAKERA person who made the breach for guns.
BREAKMANBREWSTERA female brewer. Later, the term became non gender specific.
BRICKBURNERA brickmaker who used a kiln to make bricks.
BRICKMANBRIDEWELL KEEPERThe person in charge of a lock-up or jail.
BRIDGEMANA toll keeper at bridges.
BRIDGERA toll keeper at bridges.
BRIGHTSMITHA person who worked with tin.
BROAD CLOTH WEAVERA person who operated a wide loom.
BROAD COOPERA person employed as a go between for the brewery and the innkeepers.
BRODERERBROGGERBROIDERERBROOM DASHERBROOM SQUIREA person who made brooms from birch.
BROTHERERBROUGE MAKERBROW GIRLA female employed at the pit head.
BROWDERERBROWNSMITHA person who works with copper or brass.
BUCK WASHERBUCKLE TONGUE MAKERA person who made the metal points that go in the holes of a belt.
BUCKLERBUCKLESMITHA person who made buckles.
BUCKRAM MAKERA person who worked with buckram (used in stiffening materials) e.g. belts, lapels and collars.
BUDDLEBOYA person employed to use and maintain the vats used in the lead and tin mines for washing the ore.
BUFFALO SOLDIERA soldier serving in a black regiment in the US Army in the West.
BULLWHACKERBUMBOAT MANA person who met ships at anchor, with goods for passengers and crew to purchase.
BUMMAREEA person who acted as middle man between the wholesaler and the retailer at the fish markets. They would purchase the fish for reselling to the retailer.
BUMMERBUNTERA person who collected rags and bones.
BURELERA person who made borel, a woollen cloth with a coarse feel.
BURGESSA person who represented a borough at official levels.
BURGOMASTERA Mayor of Dutch or Flemish town.
BURLERA quality inspector for clothing.
BURLER MENDERA skilled finisher of woven fabrics.
BURLEYMANBURMAIDENA chambermaid or lady-in-waiting.
BURNEMANA carrier of barm or water for brewers.
BURYE MANBUSHEL MAKERBUSHELERBUSKERBUSS MAKERBUTNERA person who made buttons.
BUTTER CARVERA person who made imprints in butter pats.
BUTTON BURNISHERA person who polished buttons.
BUTTYThe person who negotiated mining contracts and supplied the labour.
BYLAWMANAn official of the manorial courts who enforced the courts orders.
Return to top of page
CAB DRIVERCABBIECABMANThe driver of a small horse drawn passenger vehicle.
CADA person employed to feed and water horses at coach stops.
CADDIEA boy who carried messages or who ran errands.
CADDY BUTCHERA butcher that dealt in horse meat.
CADGERCAFENDERCAFFLERA rag and bone collector.
CAINERA person who made walking sticks.
CAIRDAnother term for a tinker.
CALCINERA person who burnt bones to make powdered lime.
CALENDERA person who listed documents.
CALENDER WORKERCALENDERERA person who operated a machine which pressed using two large rollers (calender) used to press and finish fabrics or paper.
CALENDERMANCALICO PRINTERA person who dyed and coloured calico.
CAMBISTAn expert in financial exchange, a dealer in bills of exchange.
CAMBRIC MAKERA person who made a fine linen or cotton fabric called cambric.
CAMERISTCAMISTERCAMLET MERCHANTA seller of camlet, cloth used to make cloaks & petticoats.
CANCELLARIUSCANDLE MAKERA person who made and sold candles.
CANDLERCANDY MAN[1] A slang name for a bailiff.
[2] A travelling candy salesman.
CANERA person who made the seats for chairs out of woven cane.
CANNALLERCANTER[1] A beggar or vagrant.
[2] A religious speaker who uses cant.
CANTING CALLERCANVASERA person who made canvas.
CAP MAKERCAPERCAPILLAIRE MAKERA person who made orange flavoured syrup.
CAPITALISTAn investor who provided private capital or wealth for the production and distribution of goods.
CAPPERA person who made caps usually worn by the working class.
CAPTAINA person in charge of a ship or a group of soldiers. Also a term for an overseer.
CARD NAILERA person who maintained the teeth (nails) on the carding machine used for preparing wool and cotton for weaving.
CARDERA person who operated a carding machine used to prepare wool and cotton for weaving by removing the knots and tangles.
CARDMAKER[1] A person who made the handheld implement used for carding wool and cotton.
[2] A maker of game playing cards.
CARDROOMERA term for any person who worked in the carding room of the mills.
CARETAKERA person hired to take charge, especially of house or ship in owners absence, or a person looking after public buildings.
CARMANCARNIFEXCARPENTARIUSCARRIERA person who drove a vehicle used to transport goods.
CART WHEELERA person who made cart wheels.
CARTERCARTERCARTOGRAPHERCARTOMANCERA fortune teller who used cards.
CARTWRIGHTA person who made wagons and carts.
CASHMARIEA person who sold fish usually at inland markets.
CASTER or CASTORA person who made small bottles used for sprinkling salt, pepper, sugar etc.
CASTRATORA person who castrated farm animals aka gelder.
CATAGMANCATCHPOLE or CATCHPOLL
A bailiff or sheriffs officer.
CATECHISTCATTLE JOBBERA person who bought and sold cattle.
CAULKERA person who made boats or casks watertight by caulking the seams using tar or oakum-hemp fibre.
CAUSEWAYERA person who was involved in road repairs from the term causewaying (Scottish c1800).
CEAPMANCEILERA person who put up the ceilings in buildings.
CELLARMANA person who look after the beer, wines and spirits in public houses or the warehouse.
CEMMERA person who hand combed the yarn before weaving.
CHAFF CUTTERA person employed to make chaff by cutting straw.
CHAFFERERCHAIR BODGERA travelling chair repairman.
CHAIR BOTTOMERCHAISE DRIVERThe driver of a two wheeled light open carriage generally furnished with a hood that may be let down and capable of carrying one or two persons, used for pleasure or local travelling puposes.
CHAISE MAKERA person who made light carriages or chairs from wicker.
CHALONER[1] A person who made blankets.
[2] A dealer in shalloon, a material made in Chalons.
CHAMBER MASTERA shoemaker that worked from home as an outworker or selling direct.
CHAMBERLAINAn officer of the royal household. He is responsible for the Chamber, meaning that he controls access to the person of the King. He is also responsible for administration of the household and the privates estates of the king. The Chamberlain is one of the four main officers of the court, the others being the Chancellor, the Justi-ciar, and the Treasurer.
CHAMBERMAIDA female servant who looked after the bedrooms of large houses or hotels.
CHANDLER[1] A Candlemaker or candle seller.
[2] A grocer or provisioner.
[3] Usually associated with provisioning ships but also applied to any dealer of a specific trade.
CHANTY MANThe sailor that led the singing of shanties on board ship.
CHAPELERA person who made and sold hats.
CHAPMAN[1] A dealer or pedlar of goods usually itinerant going from village to village.
[2] A keeper of a booth or stall in a market
CHARCOAL BURNERA person who made charcoal usually in the woods where the trees were cut.
CHARMANCHARTMASTERA middleman that negotiated mining contracts and supplied the labour.
CHARWOMANCHASERCHATELAINEThe mistress of a castle or house.
CHAUNTERA street entertainer who sung ballads.
CHEESE FACTORCHEESE MONGERCHEESEMANCHIFFONIERCHILDBED LINEN WAREHOUSE KEEPER or DEALER
A person who hired bedlinen for use at child-birth as most children before the 20th century were born at home.
CHIMNEY SWEEPCHINGLORA rooftiler who used wooden shingles.
CHIPA shipwright or carpenter.
CHIPPERS LABOURERAn assistant to a shipwright or ships carpenter.
CHIROPODISTA person who treats diseases of the feet & hands.
CHIRUGION or CHIRURGEON
An apothecary or surgeon.
CHOWDERCHRONOLOGISTA person who recorded official events of historical importance.
CINDER WENCHA female who collected the cinders from gas works and sold them door to door.
CLAKERA magician or astrologer.
CLAPMANA man who took a person to prison.
CLARKCLASSMANCLAVIGERCLAY CARRIERAn assistant to the shot firer in the pits.
CLAYMANA person who worked in the clay pits usually preparing the clay for making bricks. Also a person who coated the outside of buildings with clay to make them water proof.
CLERK IN HOLY ORDERSA Clergyman, cleric or priest.
CLERICUSA medieval term for a clerk.
CLEYMANCLICKER[1] A person who worked in the shoe trade cutting out the uppers also the person who made the shoelace holes.
[2] In the printing trade a person in charge of the final stage of layout before printing.
[3] The servant of a salesman who stood at the door to invite customers.
CLIPPER / CLIPPER ON / CLIPPER OFF
In the mines a person who attached the coal carts to the wire or rope which was used to drag the carts to and from the coal face.
CLOD HOPPERCLOGGERA clog maker (wooden shoes).
CLOTH LAPPERA person who took the cloth from the carding machine and made it ready for the next process.
CLOTH LINTER or PICKER
A person who removed unwanted threads and lint from the finished material.
CLOTHESMANCLOTHIERA person who made or sold clothes.
CLOTHMANCLOUTERA person who made nails. Also another term for a shoemaker.
CLOWERCOACHMAN / COACH DRIVER
A person who drove any horse-drawn coach.
COAL BACKERA person employed to carry the sacks of coal from the coal barge to the coal wagons.
COAL BURNERA person who made charcoal.
COAL DRAWERA person who worked in the mines pushing or dragging the coal carts the bottom of the pit.
COAL HEAVERA person employed to move coal e.g. from boat to shore or from shore to boat.
COAL HIGGLERCOAL MERCHANTCOAL RUNNERA person who attended the coal carts underground.
COAL WHIPPERA person employed to unload coal from ships using baskets attached to a simple form of crane.
COALMANA person who sold coal usually from a horse and cart, house to house.
COALMETERA person who measured the coal.
COAST SURVEYOR or WAITER
A customs officer who watched over the off-loading of goods on the coast.
COBBLERA person who mended shoes and boots.
COBLEMANA person who used a flat bottomed boat for fishing.
COCKFEEDERA person who looked after fighting cocks.
COCUSCOD PLACERA person who put the fire proof containers which held the pottery for firing into the kiln.
COHENCOINERA person who worked at the Mint stamping out coins.
COLLAR MAKERA person who made horse collars. In the clothing trade a person who made shirt collars.
COLLIERA coal miner, a coal merchant or a person who worked on the coal barges. Also a person who worked at the pit face and actually got the coal.
COLONUSLatin for farmer or husbandman.
COLOUR MAN[1]A person who mixed the dyes in the textile trade. [2]
A shopkeeper who deals in paints etc.
COLOURATOR or COLORATOR
A person who worked with dyes.
COLPORTEURA pedlar who sold books, particularly religious books.
COLTA name given to all those who have not served a regular apprenticeship. Especially used to describe women and child workers in the frame-work knitting trade in Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire during the Luddite disturbances 1811-12.
COMB MAKERA person who made combs either for the textile industry for combing wool etc. or the maker of hair combs.
COMBERA person who operated a combing machine in the mills.
COMBER or COMBERECOMPOSITORA person who set the type ready for printing.
CONDERA person on shore who gave directions to inshore fisherman as to the movements of the shoals of fish (usually from the top of cliffs or rocks).
CONEY CATCHERCONFECTIONERCONNERCONNERCONTRIVER[1] An inventor.
[2] A schemer or plotter.
COOPERA person who made or repaired wooden barrels and casks.
COOPER or CUPERCOPEMAN[1] A dealer in goods,
[2] A dishonest dealer in horses. See CHAPMAN.
COPERCOPPERBEATER or COPPERBETERCOPPERSMITHA person who worked with copper.
CORACLE MAKERA person who made coracles, small round boats used for inland water fishing.
CORDINEROriginally a term used for a person who worked with Cordovan, a special soft leather from Spain. Later it became the term used for a shoemaker.
CORDWAINERCORK CUTTERA person who worked with cork.
CORN CHANDLERCORN CUTTERCORN FACTORA middleman in corn deals.
CORN METERAn official who measured and weighed the corn at market.
CORNETThe fifth commissioned officer in a troop of cavalry, who carried the colours; corresponding to the ensign in infantry. The lowest commissioned rank in a cavalry regiment, equivalent to the present 2nd Lieutenant.
CORVERA person who made baskets used in coal mining known as corves.
CORVEYSERACORVINERCORVISER or CORVISORCOSTER WIFECOSTERMONGERA person who sold fruit and vegetables in the street or market.
COTELER or COTYLERA person who made and repaired knives.
COTILERCOTTAGERAn agricultural labourer who lived in a cottage on the landowners farm.
COTTARCOTTERCOTTIERCOTTON FEEDERA person employed in the cotton mills to feed the cotton into the loom.
COUCHERA person employed in the paper making trade.
COUNTOURA person who collected rates.
COUPERA dealer, usually in cattle and horses.
COUPLE BEGGARAn itinerant priest who performed marriages without licence or banns.
COUPLERA person employed in the coal mines coupling the coal tubs together.
COURANTEERCOURT FACTORA person who bought and sold courts (small carts).
COURT ROLLERA person in charge of the court rolls and records.
COURT TOOLMAKERA manufacturer of tools used to produce carts known as courts.
COURTIERThe owner and driver of a horse and cart known as a court.
COW LEECHCOWHERDA person who looked after cows.
COWKEEPERA person who kept cows usually for their milk which was sold door to door.
COWMANCOXWAIN[1] A member of the crew that gave the steering instructions to the helmsman,
[2] A helmsman, especially of a rowing boat.
CRIER[1] A law court officer,
[2] An auctioneer,
[3] A town announcer.
CRIMPERA member of navy press gang
CROFTERA tenant of a small piece of land.
CROPPER[1] A tenant who is paid with a share of the crop.
[2] A skilled worker in the Yorkshire weaving trade who sheared the nap from cloth, often working in Gig Mills. See also SHEARMAN.
CROWNERCUHREUR (CUNREUR)CURERA person who cures tobacco.
CURRETTERCURRIERA person who cures or tans hides.
CUSTOMERCUTLERA knife seller or sharpener.
Return to top of page
DAGUERREOTYPE ARTISTAn early name for a photographer (from the Daguerreotype method).
DAIRYMANA worker or owner of a dairy farm or seller of dairy products.
DAMSTERA builder of dams for logging purposes.
DANTERA female overseer in the winding rooms of a silk mill.
DATALLERDATELERDAY LABORERA person who was hired and paid on a day-by-day basis.
DAY MAN A casual worker, usually employed by the day, the term was used in many different industries and trades.
DAYTALEMANDEATHSMANDECIMERA person elected by the householders in a street to act as their representative at the borough's Court Leet.
DECOYMANA person employed to decoy the wild fowl, animals, etc, into a trap or within shooting range.
DECRETISTA person knowledgeable in decrees, decretals.
DEEMERDEEMSTERA judge, usually in the Channel Isles or Isle of Man.
DELVERA person who dug ditches.
DEMPSTER DEMSTERDEPARTERA refiner of precious metals.
DEPUTYIn the mining industry the Deputy was the safety officer for the pit crew.
DERRICKMANA person who worked on an oil well handling the tubes and rods used in drilling
DEVILDEVILLERA person who operated the devil, a machine that tore rags used in the textile industry.
DEXTERDEY WIFEDIGGER[1] A person who worked at the coal face.
[2] A day labourer in a stone or slate quarry.
DIKEMANDIPPERA person who worked in the pottery trade and was responsible for the glazing of items.
DISH THROWERA person who made bowls and dishes from clay.
DISH TURNER A person who made wooden bowls or dishes.
DISHERDISTILLERA person who distilled spirits, aka Rectifier.
DISTRIBUTORA parish official attached to the workhouse or poorhouse who looked after the secular needs of the poor.
DIVINERDOCK MASTERA person in charge of a dockyard.
DOCK WALLOPERA dock worker, longshoreman.
DOCKERA person employed in a dockyard to load and unload cargo between ship and quayside, aka stevedore, longshoreman.
DOG BREAKERA person who trained dogs.
DOG KILLERA person employed by the parish to kill any dogs found wandering around loose.
DOG LEECHDOG WHIPPERWhen foxes were hunted for bounty the tail of the fox was nailed to the church door as proof of capture. The Dog Whipper was employed to deal with the dogs which disrupted the church service, attracted by the tails.
DOMESMANDOMESTICDONKEY BOY or MANThe driver of a carriage for passengers.
DOOR KEEPERA guard, janitor, or porter.
DORCASDOUBLERA person who operated a machine used to twist together strands of fibre (cotton, wool etc).
DOWSERA person who claimed to be able to find water using a forked stick of hazel held close to the body in both hands and passed over the ground.
DOZENERDRAGMANA fisherman who fished by dragging a net along the bottom of the water.
DRAGOMANA person who acted as interpreter or guide in Turkish or Arabic.
DRAGOONDRAGSMANA driver of a small stage coach or carriage used for public transport or private hire.
DRAINERA person who made drains.
DRAPERA dealer in fabrics, chiefly woollen and linen cloth, and sewing needs. Larger dealers also sold ready-made clothes.
DRAPERY PAINTERA person whose painting skills were not of the highest level, they usually finished paintings for the artists by painting on the clothes of the subject, hence Drapery Painter.
DRAWBOYA weavers assistant in the shawl making mills. They sat atop the looms and lifted the heavy warps.
DRAWER[1] A person in the metal industry who made wire by drawing the metal through a die.
[2] In the mining industry it was a person who raised the coal up the shaft to the surface.
DRAYMANA person who drove a dray (a heavy four wheeled cart used to transport beer kegs).
DREDGERMAN[1] A London occupation. A person who went on the River Thames in a boat to collect the bits and pieces that had fallen overboard from other vessels which they would then sell. [2] Oyster Fishermen.
DRESSER[1] A person who prepared things, e.g. clothing for a noble person, food, etc..
[2] A person who assisted in medical operations by dressing the wounds.
[3] A person who operated a machine that prepared threads in the textile industry.
DRESSING MACHINE MAKER
A person who made sewing machines.
DRESSMAKERA person who made clothing.
DRIFT MAKERA person who made drift nets, used in the fishing industry.
DRIPPING MANA dealer in dripping (the fat collected during the cooking of meats).
DRIVERDROVERA person who drove animal stock to market.
DRUGGERDRUM BATTLEDORE MAKER
A person who made galvanised metal drums fitted with paddles used as mechanical agitators in washing machines (battledore is the name of the bat shaped paddles).
DRUMMERDRY SALTERA dealer in pickles, dried meats, and sauces.
DRY STANE DYKERA Scottish term for a Dry Stone Waller.
DRY STONE WALLERA person who 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.
DRYSALTERA dealer in salted meats. A dealer in dyes and colours used in the dying trade.
DRYSALTERA person who made or dealt in salt.
DUBBEREA cloth dubber, i.e., one who raises the nap of cloth.
DUFFERA Pedlar (of cheap goods).
DUSTBIN MANDUSTMANA person who collected domestic refuse, aka janitor or garbage collector.
DYERA person employed in the textile mills to colour fabric prior to weaving.
DYKEMANDYKERA Scottish term for a stonemason.
Return to top of page
EALDORMANAn official of the shire courts who acted as the King's deputy taking payment from the profits of the court.
EAREREARTH STOPPERA person employed to close up the entrances of a fox's earth before the hunt began.
EAST INDIA MANA person employed by the East India Company, on a commercial or military basis.
EBONITE TURNERA person who worked with ebonite or vulcanite, making combs or ornaments etc.
EDGE TOOL MAKERBlacksmith who made knives and agricultural implements such as scythes.
EGG DEALER or FACTOR
An egg or poultry dealer.
EGGLERAn egg or poultry dealer.
ELEPHANTS TEETH DEALER
A person who dealt in ivory ornaments etc.
ELLERMANA person who sold oil used for lamps. Also known as an oilman.
ELLIMANA person who sold oil used for lamps. Also known as an oilman.
ELYMAKEREMBOSSERA person who moulded or carved designs that were raised above the surface of the material.
EMPRESARIOA land broker, settlement scheme promoter, showman.
ENGINE TENTERA person who operated the machine which stretched the cloth whilst drying in a woollen mill.
ENGINE TURNERA craftsman or engraver who produced overlaping geometric pattens similar to those produced by 'Spirograph' toys. Engine turning was commonly seen on ladies powder compacts, and has often been used under transparent enamels.
ENGINEERA person who designed roads, bridges, or machinery. Also a person who drove or serviced any machinery e.g. engine drivers.
ENGINEMANA person employed at a mine to be in charge of the engine house which operated the winding engine and was usually instructed by the BANKMAN.
ENGRAVER A person who cuts or carves designs or lettering in metal or stone etc.
ENSIGNA commissioned officer in the navy.
ENUMERATORA person who collected the information for the census from the householder and recorded it.
EQUERRYAn officer of the Royal household usually responsible for the royal horses.
EREMITEERITEESQUIREThe person who attended a knight, a shield-bearer. Later it became a title for a gentleman of standing in society, by birth, position, or education.
ESTAFETTEETCHERA person who cuts or carves designs or lettering in metal or stone etc. A person who made the plates for printing patterns on cloth or printing paper money.
EWE HERDEXCHEQUEREXCISEMANEYERA person who made eyes in needles used for sewing. Sometimes called a Holer.
Return to top of page
FABERFABRICATORFACTOR[1] An agent employed by merchants to transact business of buying and selling.
[2] A Scottish term for the steward of an estate responsible for collection of land rents.
[3] A person selling goods on commission.
FAGETTERA person who made up faggots into bundles, seller of firewood.
FAKERPhotographic assistant who added colour to photographs by hand before colour film was available.
FANCY MANFANCY WOMANFANCY-PEARL WORKERA worker using mother-of-pearl making buttons or fancy goods.
FANNERFANWRIGHTA maker and repairer of fans or winnowing baskets.
FARANDMANA stranger or traveller, especially a travelling merchant.
FARRIER[1] Shoeing smith,
[2] Horse doctor,
[3] Non-commissioned officer responsible for the shoeing of horses and a cavalry regiment.
FAWKNERFEAR-NOTHING MAKERA weaver of 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-BEATERA cleanser of feathers. Also feather driver.
FEATHER-DRESSERA person who cleaned and prepared feathers for sale.
FEATHER-WIFEWoman who prepared feathers for use.
FEATHERMANA dealer in feathers and plumes.
FEEDERFELL MONGER[1] A remover of hair or wool from hides in leather making.
[2] Dealer in hides and skins esp. sheep.
FELLER[1] Textile worker who laid or felled seams in material.
[2] Tree or wood cutter.
FELTERGenerally referred to a worker in the hating industry.
FERONERFERRETERDealer in or manufacturer of ferret, i.e. silk tape.
FERUR (FERATOR)FESTITIANMis-spelling for physician.
FETTLER[1] Cleaned the machinery in woollen mills, removing accumulated fibres, grease, etc.
[2] fettlers sharpened the fustian cutters knives.
[3] Needlemaker who filed the needle to a point.
FEVERFEWSTERFEWTERERThe keeper of hounds, for hunting or coursing. The tender of greyhounds.
FEYDUR BEATERFIELD MASTERFILIBUSTERAmerican mercenaries in South America, gun runners.
FILLERA person who filled bobbins in mills.
FINE DRAWERA person employed in tailoring to repair tears in the cloth. Invisible mending.
FINISHERA person who operated machines giving final touches to a manufactured article in various trades. Cloth finisher.
FIREBEATERA person who tended the boilers that powered the machinery in a cotton mill.
FIRST HANDSilk weaver who had his own loom. An outworker.
FISCEREA fisherman (Anglo-Saxon).
FISH FAGFISHER (FISHDRYVER)FITTEROriginally applied to a joiner. In 19c a common term for a person who assembled several portions of machinery together.
[2] A coal broker.
FLASHERA specialist process worker in the glass industry.
FLATMANNavigated a broad flat-bottomed boat used for transport, especially in shallow waters. Common in the salt trade.
FLAUNERFLAXDRESSERPrepared flax prior to spinning.
FLESHERA butcher or tannery worker.
FLESHER[1] A butcher or a person who worked in a tannery.
[2] Nickname for a pimp.
FLESHEWERFLESHMONGERFLETCHERMade bows and arrows, an arrowsmith. (from Fr. fleche).
FLOATERFLOATMANFLOWERFLUSHERMANA person who cleaned out water mains.
FLYCOACHMANA driver of a one-horse carriage hired by the day. See also JOBMASTER.
FLYING STATIONERA street broadsheet seller.
FLYMAN[1] Driver of a light vehicle hired out for carriage of passengers.
[2] Theatre stage hand.
FOGGER[1] Petty chapman, carrying wares from village to village.
[2] Middleman in nail and chain trade.
[3] Agricultural worker responsible for feeding the cattle.
[4] Low class lawyer (Pettifogger).
FOISTER(ER)FOOT MAIDENFOOT MANA servant who ran errands.
FOOT PADFOOT STRAIGHTENERIn watchmaking, a person who assembled watch and clock dials.
FOOT-BOY or MANA servant or attendant in livery.
FOOT-POSTA letter carrier or messenger who travelled on foot.
FORESTERA game warden or forest ranger.
FORGEMAN[1] Blacksmith or assistant,
[2] Coachsmith (18c. Derbyshire).
FORGERA Blacksmith, worker at a forge.
FORKNERA Falconer, (mis-spelling).
FOSSETMAKERA person who made faucets for ale-casks, etc.
FOWERA street cleaner, sweeper.
FRAME SPINNERFRAMERA person who made frames for houses.
FRAMEWORKER KNITTERAn operator of a machine which made hosiery. Originally a hand loom was used. Often abbreviated to FWK.
FREEDMANA person released from slavery.
FREEHOLDERone who holds land by fee simple. In colonial times, a free-holder had the right to vote and hold public office.
FREEMANone who held the full rights of citizenship, such as voting and engaging in business (as opposed to an indentured servant). a man who was free of trade taxes and who shared in the profits of the borough in which he lived and traded, a tenant who was free of feudal service and a man who had served his apprenticeship and who could then work at his trade in his own right. In the city of London nearly all freemen became so by virtue of being freemen of a City Guild. On attaining company freedom, a man would automatically apply for the freedom of the City. He was entitled to call himself ‘Citizen’.
FREEMASONFRESERA maker of frieze, a rough plaster.
FRESHWATER MANA sailor who sailed boat on fresh water only or in the coastal trade.
FRINGEMAKERA person who made fringes, ornamental borders of cloth.
FRIPPERERA buyer & seller of old clothes.
FRISEURFROBISHERFRUITERERFRUITESTEREFULKERFULLERSee also Tucker and Walker. Term found mainly in S. and E. England. Originally a person who used fuller's earth to thicken and cleanse cloth, by treading it under water.
FUNAMBULISTFURBISHERA worker who removed rust, a polisher of metal, e.g. armour.
FURNERFURRIERA dealer, maker or dresser of furs.
FUSTIAN WEAVERFUYSTER
Return to top of page
GABELERGAFFER[1] Foreman of a gang of workers.
[2] An elderly rustic, an old man.
GAFFMANGAGERA tax collector of liquor taxes.
GALVANISERAn iron worker who handled process of coating metal with zinc, to inhibit formation of rust.
GAME KEEPERA person who worked on an estate and protected the game and livestock from the intrusion of poachers. The role was not unlike that of the ancient foresters, who protected the stocks of the King's game.
GAMESTER[1] A gambler,
[2] A prostitute (19c. slang).
GANGERAn overseer or foreman, 1850 onwards.
GANGSMANGANNEKERGAOLERGARTHMAN[1] Yardman or herdsman.
[2] One responsible for the upkeep of a garth, a dam built in a river to catch fish.
[3] Owner or worker of a fish trap.
GATERGATHERERA glassworker who inserted the blow iron into the molten glass ready for the blower (q.v.).
GATHERERS BOYSee Gatherer. A person who held a shovel to shield the gatherer's face from the heat of a fire or furnace.
GATWARDGAUGERA customs official who measured the capacity of imported barrels of liquor in order to calculate the customs duty.
GAUNTERGAVELLER[1] Usurer.
[2] In the Forest of Dean, an officer of the Crown who granted gales or the right to work a mine.
[3] In Suffolk a harvest worker, usually female.
GELDERA castrator of animals, especially horses.
GENTLEMANa member of the gentry, a descendant from an aristocratic family whose income came from the rental of his land.
GENTRYremaining families of hereditary rank. In the English system, the baronets and the knights.
GEOMETERA person skilled in geometry.
GERUND GRINDERLatin instructor (nickname).
GILDERA person who applied gold leaf.
GIMLERA machinist involved in making a gimp, a kind of card.
GINOURGIRDLERA leather worker who made girdles and belts, chiefly for the Army.
GIRTHOXTERGLASS COACHMANSee Jobmaster. Driver of two-horse carriage hired out for the day.
GLASSMANGLAZIERA glass cutter or window glassman.
GOAT CARRIAGE MANA driver of small passenger carriage.
GOLDSMITH[1] A maker of gold articles,
[2] A banker (nickname).
GOODMANa solid member of the community who ranked above a free-man but below a gentleman on the social scale.
GOOSE HERDA person who tends geese.
GORZEMANA seller of gorse or broom.
GRACE WIFEGRAFFERGRANGERGRAVER[1] A carver or sculptor, engraver of images.
[2] Dockside worker who cleaned ship bottoms by burning and tarring.
GRAZIERA person who pastures and raises cattle.
GREAVE or GRIEVEBailiff, foreman, sheriff.
GREEN GROCERA fruit and vegetable seller.
GREENSMITHA worker in copper or latten.
GREENWICH BARBERA retailer of sand collected from the Greenwich pits.
GRIFFINA European newly arrived in India, and unaccustomed to Indian ways; a novice, a newcomer, a greenhorn.
GRIMBRIBBERGRINDER[1] A person who operated grinding machine. Found in various trades, metal works, knife sharpening, cutlery in general, also glass and toolmaking.
[2] Worker who maintained a carding machine (textile industry).
[3] A private tutor (slang).
GROOVERGROUNDSEL & CHICKWEED SELLER
A street seller of common weeds, used to feed pet song-birds.
GUARDIANan appointee of the court who cares for the property and rights of a minor or someone incapable of handling his or her own affairs.
GUINEA PIGAn unattached or roving person whose fee was usually a guinea (slang).
GUMMERA person who improved old saws by deepening the cuts.
GYPA college servant especially one attending undergraduates.
Return to top of page
HABERDASHER[1] Dealer in small articles, eg. ribbons, needles, pins.
[2] Dealer in hats, shirts, ties, collars, etc. in particular men's clothing.
HACKER[1] Wood cutter.
[2] A person who made or used hoes, axe, or other cutting tools.
HACKLERA worker in the linen industry. A person who separated the coarse part of flax or hemp with a hackle, an instrument with teeth.
HACKMANHACKNEY MANA renter of horses & carriages.
HAIR SEATING & CURLED HAIR MERCHANT
A dealer in horse-hair stuffing used in upholstery.
HAIRMANHAIRWEAVERA weaver of cloth composed wholly or partly of horsehair.
HALBERT CARRIERA soldier or halberdier, armed with a halberd, a combination spear and battleaxe. A ceremonial officer.
HAMMERMANHANDSELLERHANDWOMANA midwife or female attendant.
HARLOT[1] Vagabond, beggar, rogue.
[2] 14c. male servant, attendant or menial.
[3] 15c. Loose woman.
HARMER BECKHARPERHATCHELER or HATCHLER
A person who cleaned, combed or carded flax.
HATTERA maker of or dealer in hats.
HAWKER[1] Street seller who cried his wares in town,
[2] Often applied to country peddlers as a term of abuse,
[3] Itinerant dealer who carried his wares on his back.
HAYMONGERHAYWARD[1] Inspector of hedges and fences of a parish who also impounded stray beasts
[2] Man who tended field set aside to produce hay.
[3] A fence viewer.
HEADSMANNickname for an executioner.
HEADSWOMANHEALD KNITTERAn operator of a machine which produced a jersey type of fabric as opposed to woven fabric. (Textile Industry).
HECK MAKERA maker of a part of a spinning machine by which the yarn is guided to the reels.
HECKLERHEDGE LOOKERsee Hayward. Supervised good repair of fence and enclosures.
HEDGERHEELMAKERA person who made shoe heels.
HELLIERA slater or tiler of roofs.
HELPER-UPA young boy employed in Durham pits to help other workers.
HEMP HECKLERA flax dresser. See hackler.
HENCHMAN[1] A horseman or groom;
[2] A Squire, a page of honour.
[3] Chief attendant of Highland chief.
HENSMANHENTERHEWERA miner who cut coal, stone, etc., a face worker in a mine.
HIGGLERA person who haggles or bargains. An itinerant peddler or dealer, similar to a cadger.
HIGH SHERIFFthe highest-ranking sheriff, as opposed to deputy sheriffs. The term was popular in England and Colonial America.
HIGHWAYMANA robber who preys on public roads.
HILLIERA slater or tiler of roofs.
HILLIERHIND[1] A household or domestic servant,
[2] In SCT a skilled farm labourer.
HINXMANHIRED MANA gardener, farmhand, or stableman.
HOBBLERA person who was employed to tow a boat on the rivers or canals.
HODHODSMANHOGGARDHOLLOWARE WORKER[1] Pottery worker who made ornaments, teapots, etc. as opposed to flatware such as plates, dishes,
[2] One involved in the production of tin trunks, boxes, etc. or the painting and graining of them. HOLLOWARE was also a trade name for hollow articles of iron, as pots and kettles.
HOOFERHOOKER[1] 16c. Reaper,
[2] 19c. Worker in textile industry who operated a machine which laid fabric flat in uniform folds of any required length.
HOOPERA maker of hoops for barrels or casks.
HORNERA worker in horn making spoons, combs, or musical horns.
HORSE COPERHORSE COURSERHORSE KNAVEHORSE LEECHA horse-doctor, or Farrier. See Cowleech. Veterinarian.
HORSE MARINEMan-handled barges on canals when horses could not be used.
HORSE-CAPPERA dealer in worthless horses.
HORSE-HAIR CURLERDressed horse hair which was used extensively in the upholstery trade.
HOSIER[1] A retailer of stockings, socks, gloves, night-caps, etc.
[2] The owner of frame-work knitting machines hired them out to workers to produce stockings.
HOSTELLERHOSTLER[1] A person cares for horses, stableman, groom,
[2] USA repairer of railway engines.
HOTPRESSERA worker in paper or textile industries. Product was pressed between glazed boards and hot metal plates to obtain a smooth and shiny surface.
HOUSE JOINERHOUSE WRIGHTHOWDY WIFEHOYMANA person who engaged in the carriage of goods and passengers by water. (Hoy = small coastal vessel or sloop).
HUCKSTER[1] Street Seller of ale, often a woman,
[2] Retailer of small wares in shop or booth.
HUISSHERAn usher. A door attendant.
HURDLEMAN or HURDLERA hedge-maker, of wattled framework fencing, a southern counties trade.
HURRIERSIn coal mining, term applied to the girls aged 5-18 who were employed as coal-drawers (q.v.).
HUSBANDMANA tenant farmer who cultivated the land.
HUSH SHOP KEEPERA person who brewed and sold beer without a licence (usually as a side line).
Return to top of page
ICEMANA seller or deliverer of ice.
IDLEMANINDENTURED SERVANTone who was voluntarily or involuntarily committed to working for someone for a fixed number of years (usually 4 to 7) in exchange for passage to America or some other financial advantage. The lowest person on the totem pole, an indentured servant had few, if any, rights, but people without skills or money accepted this position in order to emigrate. After the period of work was over, the servant usually became a freeman.
INFIRMARIANA person in charge of an infirmary.
INTELLIGENCERINTENDENTA director of a public or government business.
INTERFACTORIRON FOUNDERA person who founds or casts iron.
IRON INDUSTRYSupported among others the following occupations: Brazier, Broker, Caster, Founder, Galvaniser, Moulder, Monger, Shearer, Platemaker, Worker.
IRON MASTERThe owner or manager of a foundry.
IRON MONGERA dealer in hardware made of iron. Also known as a Feroner.
IRON SMITHA worker in iron, a blacksmith.
| | 