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List of Old Names for Occupations



Old nameModern name or explanation
AccomptantAccountant
AlmonerGiver of charity to the needy
AmanuensisSecretary or stenographer
ArtificerA soldier mechanic who does repairs
BailieBailiff
BaxterBaker
BluestockingFemale writer
BonifaceKeeper of an inn
BrazierOne who works with brass
BrewsterBeer manufacturer
BrightsmithMetal Worker
BurgonmasterMayor
CaulkerOne who filled up cracks (in ships or windows or seems to make them watertight by using tar or oakum-hemp fiber produced by taking old ropes apart
ChaisemakerCarriage maker
ChandlerDealer or trader; one who makes or sells candles; retailer of groceries, ship supplier
ChiffonnierWig maker
ClarkClerk
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.
CohenPriest
CollierCoal miner
ColporteurPeddler of books
CooperOne who makes or repairs vessels made of staves & hoops, such as casks, barrels, tubs, etc.
CordwainerShoemaker, originally any leather worker using leather from Cordova/Cordoba in Spain
CostermongerPeddler of fruits and vegetables
CrockerPotter
CrownerCoroner
CurrierOne who dresses the coat of a horse with a currycomb; one who tanned leather by incorporating oil or grease
DockerStevedore, dock worker who loads and unloads cargo
DowserOne who finds water using a rod or witching stick
DraperA dealer in dry goods
DraymanOne who drives a long strong cart without fixed sides for carrying heavy loads
DresserA surgeon's assistant in a hospital
DroverOne who drives cattle, sheep, etc. to market; a dealer in cattle
DufferPeddler
Factor AgentCommission merchant; one who acts or transacts business for another; Scottish steward or bailiff of an estate
FarrierA blacksmith, one who shoes horses
FaulknerFalconer
Fell mongerOne who removes hair or wool from hides in preparation for leather making
FletcherOne who made bows and arrows
FullerOne who fulls cloth;one who shrinks and thickens woolen cloth by moistening, heating, and pressing; one who cleans and finishes cloth
GaolerA keeper of the goal, a jailer
GlazierWindow glassman
HackerMaker of hoes
HatchelerOne who combed out or carded flax
HaymongerDealer in hay
HaywardKeeper of fences
HigglerItinerant peddler
HillierRoof tiler
HindA farm laborer
HolsterA groom who took care of horses, often at an inn
HookerReaper
HooperOne who made hoops for casks and barrels
HucksterSells small wares
HusbandmanA farmer who cultivated the land
JaggerFish peddler
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
KeelerBargeman
KempsterWool comber
LardnerKeeper of the cupboard
LavenderWasher woman
LedererLeather maker
LeechPhysician
LongshoremanStevedore
LormerMaker of horse gear
MalenderFarmer
MaltsterBrewer
MancipleA steward
MasonBricklayer
MintmasterOne who issued local currency
MongerSeller of goods (ale, fish)
MuleskinnerTeamster
NeatherderHerds cows
Ordinary KeeperInnkeeper with fixed prices
Pattern MakerA maker of a clog shod with an iron ring. A clog was a wooden pole with a pattern cut into the end
PeregrinatorItinerant wanderer
PerukerA wig maker
PettifoggerA shyster lawyer
PigmanCrockery dealer
PlumberOne who applied sheet lead for roofing and set lead frames for plain or stained glass windows.
PorterDoor keeper
PuddlerWrought iron worker
QuarrierQuarry worker
RiggerHoist tackle worker
RipperSeller of fish
RoperMaker of rope or nets
SaddlerOne who makes, repairs or sells saddles or other furnishings for horses
SawbonesPhysician
SawyerOne who saws; carpenter
SchumackerShoemaker
ScriblerA minor or worthless author
ScrivenerProfessional or public copyist or writer; notary public
ScrutinerElection judge
ShrieveSheriff
SlaterRoofer
SlopsellerSeller of ready-made clothes in a slop shop
Snobscat / SnobOne who repaired shoes
SorterTailor
SpinsterA woman who spins or an unmarried woman
SpurrerMaker of spurs
SquireCountry gentleman; farm owner; justice of peace
Stuff gownJunior barrister
Stuff gownsmanJunior barrister
SupercargoOfficer on merchant ship who is in charge of cargo and the commercial concerns of the ship.
TannerOne who tans (cures) animal hides into leather
TapleyOne who puts the tap in an ale cask
TaskerReaper
TeamsterOne who drives a team for hauling
ThatcherRoofer
Tide waiterCustoms inspector
TinkerAm itinerant tin pot and pan seller and repairman
TipstaffPoliceman
TraversToll bridge collection
TuckerCleaner of cloth goods
TurnerA person who turns wood on a lathe into spindles
VictualerA tavern keeper, or one who provides an army, navy, or ship with food
VulcanBlacksmith
WagonerTeamster not for hire
WainwrightWagon maker
WaiterCustoms officer or tide waiter; one who waited on the tide to collect duty on goods brought in.
WatermanBoatman who plies for hire
WebsterOperator of looms
WharfingerOwner of a wharf
WheelwrightOne who made or repaired wheels; wheeled carriages, etc.
WhitesmithTinsmith; worker of iron who finishes or polishes the work
WhitewingStreet sweeper
WhitsterBleach of cloth
WrightWorkman, especially a construction worker
YeomanFarmer who owns his own land



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Created March 26 2001
Updated April 24, 2001
© 2001 - 2006