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Medieval Occupations


Bri

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This list came from some things my dad had compiled before he died. I am unsure where he got all his information. I was going through it and compiling it to use for some real life P’n’P game, and decided to put up.

 

Occupation/Description (Also note that a lot of the occupations were subsumed in other jobs.) These were used at various times, and some are actually Latin or French, but instances of their use in English were found. And yes, other languages like Scottish might also be included.

 

Look for Vaginarius, Tosher, Streaker, or Whipperin for fun…(especially the first one…sounds a bit…naughty, don’t it? ;-) )

 

And I think it is quite telling to compare Headsman…and Headswoman.

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A

 

Abbot/Abbess Man in charge of monastery, woman in charge of a convent before 12th century

 

Acater Supplied food provisions, e.g. A ships chandler

 

Accomptant Accountant

 

Accoucheur Assisted women in childbirth (Male)

 

Accoucheus Assisted women in childbirth (Female)

 

Accoutre Supplier of military accessories

 

Accountant Bookkeeper

 

Accoutrement Maker Supplier of military accessories

 

Ackerman Ploughman An oxherder

 

Acreman Ploughmanan Another variation on oxherder

 

Actuary Kept public accounts of business; clerk/registrar

 

Administrator Directed the affairs of another

 

Advertisement Conveyancer Sandwich board man; or a person who provided public notice of deed transferal

 

Advocate Depute Law officer who could act a public prosecutor

 

Advowee Normally a nobleman, who had the right to present a clergyman to a benefice (a benefice was a church office that came with fixed assets to provide a living. It also is a landed estate granted in feudal tenure)

 

Aeronaut Balloonist or a trapeze artist in the circus or music halls; this term would later be borrowed for when air balloons came into use

 

Affeeror Official in the manorial courts who assessed the monetary penalty and also collected taxes and dues and were also called Assessor

 

Agister Official of the Royal Forests or in the New Forest; one in charge of the ponies

 

Alabasterer Worked with alabaster

 

Alblastere Crossbow man

 

Alchemist Medieval chemist who claimed to be able to turn base metals into gold

 

Alderman Senior councillor one position down from Mayor in the local council before

 

Ale Draper Seller of ale (a draper is one who deals in cloth), possibly the precursor to a general store manager

 

Ale-Conner One who tested quality and measure of ale served in public houses; established quality of ale (they took their alcohol serious even then)

 

Ale Taster Tested ale and beer for quality. Appointed by the Manor and forerunner of the Inspector for Weights & Measures

 

Ale Tunner Employed by the brewery to fill ale casks (tuns} with ale

 

Alewife, Alewyfe Woman who keeps an alehouse or tavern

 

All Spice Name for a grocer

 

Almanac Man An appointed official who warned the inhabitants of the of higher than normal tides (almanac)

 

Almoner Gave out alms or charity to the poor on behalf of the parish

 

Almsman Received alms

 

Alnager, Aulnager Official who examined the quality of woolen goods and stamped them with the town seal of approval

 

Amanuensis Secretary

 

Amber & Jet Cutter Cut and polished amber for jewelry

 

Amber Cutter Cut ambergris

 

Ambler Officer who broke in horses

 

Amen Man Parish clerk

 

Anchor Smith Made anchors

 

Anchoress Female hermit or religious recluse

 

Anchorite Male hermit or religious recluse

 

Angle Iron Smith Made angle iron ie. Flat iron bars bent at right angles lengthways

 

Anile man Smallholder (tenant of the manor)

 

Ankle Beater Young person who helped to drive the cattle to market

 

Annatto Maker Worked in the manufacture of reddish yellow dyes for paint or printing

 

Antigropelos Maker Made waterproof leggings

 

Anvil Smith Made anvils and hammers for blacksmiths

 

Apiarian (Apiarist) Beekeeper (honey at one time was considered a precious commodity)

 

Apothecary Prepared and sold medicines or drugs; pharmacist

 

Apparitor Official who summoned witnesses in the ecclesiastical courts; official formerly sent to carry out the orders of a magistrate, judge, or court

 

Apprentice Was bound to a skilled worker for a specified time to learn a trade

 

Aproneer Term used in London for a shopkeeper

 

Apron man Mechanic

 

Aquarius Waterman; water carrier (yes, the same name as the Zodiac sign)

 

Aquavita Seller that of alcohol (Medieval Latin aqua vitae)

 

Archer a person who uses a bow and arrow 14th century

 

Archiator Physician

 

Archil Maker Made a violet dye from lichens, used in the textile industry

 

Architect A person who designs buildings and advises in their construction; Master builder

 

Arkwright Skilled craftsman who produced arks (wooden chests or coffers)

 

Armourer Made suits of armour or plates of armour for buildings or ships etc

 

Artificer Highly respected skilled or artistic worker or craftsman or one that makes or contrives

 

Assay Master, Assayer Determined the amount of gold or silver to go in coins, determined the proportions of metal ore

 

Astrologer Fortuneteller, prognosticator of one’s fates, frequently reads the stars, but not always necessary

 

Attendent One who attends another to perform a service 15th century

 

Auger Maker Made any of various tools or devices having a helical shaft or member that are used for boring holes (as in wood, earth, or ice) or moving loose material.

 

Aurifaber Goldsmith

 

Avenator Hay and forage merchant

 

Avowry Term for the lord of the manor

 

Axel Tree Turner Made axels for coaches and wagons

 

B

 

Back Washer Employed to clean the wool in the worsted manufacturing industry

 

Backmaker Made backs, vats, tubs, a cooper

 

Backmann, Backster, Beck, Becker Baker

 

Back'us Boy Kitchen servant (from back of the house)

 

Badgy Fiddler Boy trumpeter in the military

 

Bagman Travelling salesman

 

Bagniokeeper In charge of a bath house or brothel

 

Bailie Bailiff

 

Bailiff an official employed by a sheriff to serve writs and make arrests and executions

 

Bairman, Bareman Pauper or beggar

 

Baker One who bakes (obvious ;-) )

 

Bal Maiden Female mine worker who worked on the surface

 

Baler Bales hay and in the mills one who bailed wool or cotton goods

 

Balister Archer most commonly a crossbowman

 

Ballard Master, Ballast Heaver In charge of loading the ballast into the hold of empty ships

 

Baller (Up) Assisted the potter by measuring out the balls of clay

 

Bandster Bound the wheat sheaves after harvest

 

Bang Beggar Officer of the parish who controlled the length of stay of any stranger to the parish

 

Banker Dug trenches and ditches to allow drainage of the land, placing the surplus earth in banks around the edge (this predates the use of Banker for one who runs a bank, though both were in use)

 

Barber A barber also a surgeon (frequently both)

 

Bard Poet or minstral

 

Bargee, Bargeman Worked on or owned and operated a barge

 

Barilla Manufacturer Made barilla, a substance obtained from burning saltworts, the resulting mixture of sodium salts being used in the glass and ceramics industry

 

Barkeeper Besides one who ran a bar, it was another name for a tollkeeper

 

Barker A person who barked out advertisements

 

Bartoner, Barton In charge of a monastic farm

 

Basil Worker Worked with sheep and goat skins

 

Basketman Made baskets and furniture from wicker, and also employed to empty the basket of coal being offloaded from the colliers into the barges

 

Bast Dresser Employed in dressing fibre or matting

 

Batman Officer’s servant in the army

 

Battledore Maker Made the beaters used on clothes carpets etc to remove the dust

 

Bauer Farmer

 

Baxter Baker

 

Bayweaver One who wove bay (a fine woollen fabric also known as baize)

 

Bead Piercer Employed to drill the holes in beads

 

Beadle, Bedel, Bedell Officer of the parish whose principle duty was to keep order, also was the town crier

 

Beadman, Beadsman, Bedesman Employed to pray for his employer, inhabitant of an almshouse / poorhouse / hospital or tenant employed by the manor for a specific service (think rosary beads)

 

Beamer Winds the warp on the roller before putting it on the loom in the textile industry

 

Bearer Worked undergrpound carrying the coal to the bottom of the pit shaft and placed it in the containers for uplifting to the surface

 

Beater, Fuller Cleansed and thickened the cloth by treading it underwater with fullers earth

 

Beaver A person who made felt used in hat making

 

Bedman Sexton, Bellringer

 

Bedwevere Made the webbing for bed frames and also a one who wove quilts

 

Beeskepmaker Made beehives

 

Belhoste Tavern keeper

 

Bell Hanger Installed bells in churches

 

Bellfounder, Belleyetere, Belter, Billiter Made bells

 

Bellman Employed 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

 

Bellowfarmer Responsible for the care and maintenance of the church organ

 

Bellows Maker Made bellows used for organs or blacksmiths fires

 

Belly Builder Built and fitted the interiors of pianos

 

Bender Cut leather

 

Besom Maker Made brooms (besom:broom esp made of twigs)

 

Besswarden Appointed by the parish to look after its animals

 

Bever Beverage maker

 

Bill Poster Put up notices, signs and advertisements

 

Binder Bound items, e.g., books, hats etc

 

Bird Boy Employed to scare away birds from crops

 

Bird Catcher Caught birds for selling

 

Birds Nest Seller Sold bird nests collected from the wild complete with eggs which were then hatched by domestic birds and sold as pets

 

Birlyman A church official who kept people from carousing (birl is Scottish for carouse, I believe) In Scotland a ground officer or parish arbiter

 

Blacking Maker Made polish for shoes

 

Blacksmith I hope this one is obvious…

 

Bladesmith Swordmaker or knife maker

 

Blaxter, Bleacher Bleached cloth or paper pulp

 

Blemmere Plumber

 

Blentonist Water diviner

 

Block Maker Engraved the blocks used in the printing

 

Block Printer Printer who used wooden blocks for printing

 

Block Cutter, Blocker Made wooden blocks used in the hat trade or laid down the blocks on which a ships keel was laid; a blockcutter was also a person who made and cut the patterns into wooden blocks for textile printing

 

Bloodletter, Bloodman Used leeches for letting blood, this was thought to be a cure for many ailments

 

Bloomer Produced iron from ore, a bloom smithy

 

Blower Glass blower, one who operated a blowing machine used to clean and separate fibres in the textile trade, one who operated the bellows at a blacksmiths

 

Blowfeeder Fed the fibres into a blowing machine

 

Boarding Officer Inspected ships before entering port

 

Boardman Truant officer who checked school attendance. A tenant of manorial land who paid rent by maintaining the manor's table

 

Boardwright Made tables and chairs, another name for a carpenter

 

Boatman Worked on a boat, predominately on rivers and canals also the name given to a boat repairer

 

Boatswain a petty officer on a merchant ship having charge of hull maintenance and related work.

 

Bobber One who polished metals (bob: a small polishing wheel of solid felt or leather with rounded edges)

 

Bodeys, Body maker Made bodices for womens garments

 

Bodger Craftsman who made wooden chair legs and the spars and usually worked in the actual woodland that they cut the timber in

 

Bolter Sifted meal (like cornmeal)

 

Bondager Female worker on a farm who was bonded

 

Bondman Bonded to a master for the purpose of learning a skill or trade

 

Bone Button Turner Made buttons using a lathe

 

Bone Lace Maker Made pillow lace

 

Bone Mould Turner Made the moulds for button manufacturers

 

Bone Picker, Rag and Bone Man Collected rags and bones

 

Bonesetter Set broken bones

 

Book Gilder Decorated books with gold leaf

 

BookKeeper Looked after the accounts for businesses

 

Book holder Prompter in the theater

 

Bookman Student

 

Boonmaster Surveyor of roads with the responsibilities of maintaining and repairing the road

 

Boot Catcher Servant at inn who pulled off traveler's boots

 

Boot Closer Worked in the shoe trade stitching together all the parts of a shoe

 

Boothman Corn merchant (could be expanded for other merchants)

 

Borler One who made cheap coarse clothing

 

Botcher Tailor or cobbler

 

Bottiler / Bottler Made leather containers for holding liquids eg wine flasks or water bottles

 

Bottle Boy Pharmacists assistant

 

Bottom Knocker, Bottom maker Sagger makers assistant in the pottery industry. A sagger is also the protective casing of fire clay in which delicate ceramic articles are fired.

 

 

Bottomer Worked down the pits moving the ore etc to the bottom of the shaft for removal

 

Bowdler Worked with iron ore

 

Bower, Bowyer Made bows used in archery

 

Bowker Bleached yarn.

 

Bowler Made bowls and dishes and also a term used for those who made the rounded part of spoons before casting

 

Bowlminder In charge of the vats used for washing raw wool before processing

 

Bozzler Parish constable

 

Brabener Weaver

 

Braider Made cord by twisting threads or strips of leather

 

Brailler[u/] Made girdles

 

Brakeman, Brakesman Operated the winch at the pit head

 

Brasiler Dyer

 

Brazier Worker of brass

 

Brewster Another name for brewer

 

Bricklayer One who lays bricks

 

Brightsmith Metal worker

 

Broderer, Broiderer, Brotherer, Browderer Embroiderer

 

Broom Squire Broom maker

 

Broom-Dasher Dealer in brooms

 

Brow Girl Female employed at the pit head (mine)

 

Brownsmith Works with copper or brass

 

Buck Washer Laundress

 

Buckle Tongue Maker Made the metal points that go in the holes of a belt

 

Bucklesmith Made buckles

 

Buckram Maker Worked with buckram (used in stiffening materials - millinary, books)

 

Buddleboy, Buddler Employed to use and maintain the vats used in the lead and tin mines for washing the ore circa

 

Bullocky Attended to the daily needs of cattle and may also have lent a hand with general farm duties, especially during busy periods

 

Bullwhacker Oxen driver

 

Bumboat Man Met ships at anchor with goods for passengers and crew to purchase

 

Bummaree Middle man between the wholesaler and the retailer at the fish markets

 

Bunter Female rag & bone collector

 

Bureler Made borel, a woolen cloth with a coarse feel

 

Burgess Represented a borough at official levels

 

Burgomaster Mayor

 

Burler Quality inspector for clothing

 

Burmaiden Chambermaid or lady-in-waiting

 

Burneman Carrier of barm (The yeasty foam that rises to the surface of fermenting malt liquors) or water for brewers

 

Burye Man Grave digger

 

Bushel Maker Cooper

 

Busheler Tailor's helper

 

Busker Hair dresser and also a street entertainer

 

Butcher Dealer in meat

 

Butler Cared for the cellar and was in charge of large butts and little butts (bottles) of wine and beer. Under him a staff of people might consist of brewers, tapsters, cellarers, dispensers, cupbearers and dapifer.

 

Butner Button maker

 

Button Burnisher Button polisher

 

Butty Negotiated mining contracts and supplied the labor

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C

 

Caddie Messenger or errand boy

 

Caddy Butcher Butcher that dealt in horse meat

 

Cafender Carpenter

 

Caffler Rag and bone collector

 

Cainer Made walking sticks

 

Caird Another term for a tinker

 

Calciner Burnt bones to make powdered lime

 

Calender Listed documents

 

Calico Printer Dyed and colored calico

 

Cambist Banker

 

Cambric Maker Made a fine linen or cotton fabric called cambric

 

Camerist Lady's maid

 

Camister Minister of the cloth

 

Camlet Merchant Seller of camlet, cloth used to make cloaks & petticoats

 

Campaner Bell maker

 

Cancellarius Chancellor

 

Candler One who made and sold candles

 

Candy Man Traveling candy salesman and also slang name for a bailiff

 

Caner Made the seats for chairs out of woven cane

 

Cannaller Canal boat worker

 

Canter Religious speaker who uses liturgical cant

 

Canting Caller Auctioneer

 

Canvaser Made canvas

 

Caper, Capper Cap maker

 

Capillaire Maker Made orange flavored syrup

 

Captain In charge of a ship or a group of soldiers and also term for an overseer

 

Card Nailer Maintained the teeth (nails) on the carding machine used for preparing wool and cotton for weaving

 

Carder Cards wool

 

Cardmaker Maker of cards or instruments for combing wool

 

Caretaker Takes care of another's property

 

Carner Granary keeper

 

Carnifex Butcher

 

Carpentarius Carriage maker

 

Carpenter One who works with wood.

 

 

Cart Wheeler Made cart wheels (non gymnastic kind)

 

Carter, Cartier Drove a vehicle used to transport goods

 

Cartwright Maker of carts & wagons

 

Carver To work as a sculptor or engraver

 

Cashmarie Sold fish usually at inland markets

 

Caster / Castora Made small bottles used for sprinkling salt, pepper, sugar etc

 

Catagman Cottager

 

Catchpole, Catchpolla Sheriff's assistance or bailiff

 

Catechista Teacher of religion

 

Cattle Jobber Buys and sells cattle

 

Caulker Filled up cracks (in ships or windows) or seams to make them watertight

 

Ceapman Dealer or peddler of goods usually itinerant going from village to village

 

Ceiler Puts up the ceilings in buildings

 

Cellarman Looked after the beer, wines and spirits in public houses or the warehouse

 

Cemmer Hand Combed the yarn before weaving

 

Chaff Cutter Made chaff by cutting straw

 

Chafferer Dealer in chaff

 

Chair Bodger Chair repairman

 

Chair Bottomer Made the seats for chairs out of woven cane

 

Chaise Maker Made carts from wicker

 

Chamber Master Shoemaker that worked from home as an outworker or selling direct

 

Chamberlain Steward to either royalty or nobility, in charge of the household

 

Chambermaid Female servant attending to bedrooms in houses or inns

 

Chancellor The secretary of a nobleman, prince, or king 14th century

 

Chandler Candle seller, grocer, provisioner, usually associated with provisioning ships

 

Chapeler Made and sold hats

 

Chaplain A priest

 

Chapman Dealer or peddler of goods

 

Charcoal Burner Made charcoal usually in the woods where the trees were cut

 

Chartmaster Middleman that negotiated mining contracts and supplied the labor

 

Charwoman Cleaning woman; esp. in large buildings

 

Chaunter the chief singer in chapel for the singing of the masses (variation of Chanter maybe)

 

Chaunteuse female singer

 

Checkweighman Employed by a group of miners paid piecework (by the ton mined) to check coal weight recorded by the mine management

 

Cheese Factor, Cheese Monger, Cheeseman Dealer in cheeses

 

Chimney Sweep Chimney cleaner

 

Chinglor Shingler

 

Chirugion, Chirurgeon Surgeon

 

Chronologist Recorded official events of historical importance

 

Cissor Tailor (Most likely from scissor)

 

Claker Magician/astrologer

 

Clapman Town crier

 

Clark Clerk

 

Classman Unemployed laborer

 

Clay Carrier Assistant to the shot firer in the pits

 

Clayman, Cleyman Worked 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

 

Clericus Clerk

 

Clerk Clergyman or cleric; a person who checked material costs, wages, and kept accounts.

 

Clipper Attached the coal carts to the wire or rope which was used to drag the carts to and from the coal face

 

Clogger Maker of wooden shoes

 

Cloth Lapper Took the cloth from the carding machine readied it for the next process

 

Cloth Linter, Cloth Picker Removed unwanted threads and lint from the finished material

 

Clothesman, Clothman Who made or sold clothes

 

Clothier Who made or sold clothes

 

Clouter, Clower Made nails; also another term for a shoemaker for clothier/clothesman

 

Coach Driver, Coachman Drove any coach

 

Coal Backer Carried the sacks of coal from the coal barge to the coal wagons

 

Coal Burner Made charcoal

 

Coal Drawer Worked in the mines pushing or dragging the coal carts to the bottom of the pit

 

Coal Heaver, Coalman, Coal Higgler unloaded coal, sold coal usually from a horse and cart, house to house

 

Coal Runner Attended the coal carts underground

 

Coal Whipper Unloaded coal from ships using baskets attached to a simple form of crane

 

Coalmeter Measured the coal

 

Coast Surveyor Customs officer who watched over the offloading off goods on the coast

 

Cobbler Shoemaker

 

Cobleman Used a flat bottomed boat for fishing

 

Cocus Cook

 

Cod Placer Put fire proof containers which held the pottery for firing into the kiln

 

Coiner Worked at the mint stamping out coins

 

Collar Maker Made horse collars and one who made shirt collars

 

Collier Coal miner, a coal merchant or one who worked on the coal barges

 

Colour Man Mixed the dyes in the textile trade and also assistant to a house painter

 

Colourator Worked with dyes

 

Comb Maker Made combs either for the textile industry for combing wool etc. Or the maker of hair combs

 

Compositor Set the type ready for printing

 

Conder Gave 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 Catcher Rabbit catcher (coney)

 

Confectioner Candy maker

 

Conner Gave 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)

 

Constable A person who took care (the governor or warden) of a castle in the absence of the owner. This was sometimes bestowed upon a great baron as an honor and some royal castles had hereditary constables.

 

Cook A person who prepares food for eating before

 

Cooper, Cuper Maker of barrels

 

Copeman Dealer or peddler of goods usually itinerant going from village to village

 

Copperbeater, Copperbeter Coppersmith

 

Coppersmith Worked with copper

 

Coracle Maker Made coracles, a small round boat used for fishing

 

Cordewanarius, Cordiner, Cordwainer Shoemaker, originally a worker in Cordovan leather

 

Costermonger A hawker of fruit or vegetables

 

Costerwife Female hawker of fruit or vegetables

 

Cotiler Cutler

 

Cotter Peasant or farm laborer who occupies a cottage and sometimes a small holding of land usually in return for services.

 

Couranteer Journalist

 

Cowherd Cow tender

 

Coxswain A sailor who has charge of a ship's boat and its crew and who usually steers.

 

Cratch Maker Made cratches (a crib or rack especially for fodder)

 

Crier An officer who proclaims the orders of a court

 

Crofter Tenant of a small piece of land

 

Cropper Tenant who is paid with a share of the crop; sharecropper

 

Crosier, Crozier Bearer of the pastoral staff of a bishop or the bearer of the cross before the archbishop in the church

Crowner Coroner

 

Cuhreur, Cunreur Currier (Cures or tans hides)

 

Cuillerer Spoon maker

 

Cupbearer Had the dubious privilege of tasting drinks for impurities

 

Curretter Broker

 

Cutler Knife seller or sharpener

 

D

 

Dairymaid/Dairyman Woman/man employed in a dairy

 

Damster Builder of dams

 

Danter Female overseer in the winding rooms of a silk mill

 

Dateler, Day Man, Daytaleman Casual worker, usually employed by the day (Temporary workers)

 

Daunsel Gentleman in waiting, groom or squire

 

Deathsman Executioner

 

Decimer Elected by the householders in a street to act as their representative at court.

 

Decoy man Employed to decoy the wild fowl, animals etc into a trap or within shooting range

 

Decretist Knowledgeable in decrees, decretals (a papal letter giving an authoritative decision on a point of canon law).

 

Deemer, Deemster, Dempster, Demster Judge, perhaps from deem (to come to think or judge).

 

Delver Dug ditches before 12th century

 

Depater Precious metal refiner

 

Deputy Safety officer for the pit crew in the mining industry as well as a law official under a sherrif

 

Dikeman Hedger or ditcher

 

Dipper Who worked in the pottery trade and was responsible for the glazing of items

 

Dish Thrower, Dish Turner, Disher Who made bowls and dishes

 

Distiller Maker of alcoholic beverages

 

Distributor Parish official attached to the workhouse / poorhouse who looked after the secular needs of the poor

 

Diviner Water finder; soothsayer (Soothsayer is literally Truth teller)

 

Dock Master In charge of a dockyard

 

Dock Walloper, Docker Dock worker, longshoreman

 

Dog Leech Veterinarian

 

Dog-Whipper Drove dogs away in a village

 

Domestic Household servant

 

Donkey Man Driver of a carriage for passengers

 

Door Keeper Guard, janitor, or porter

 

Dragman Fisher man who fished by dragging a net along the bottom of the water

 

Dragoon Member of a military unit formerly composed of heavily armed mounted troops.

 

Dragsman Driver of a small stage coach or carriage used for public transport or private hire

 

Drainer Made drains

 

Draper Dealer in fabrics and sewing needs

 

Drawboy Weaver’s assistant in the shawl making mills , they sat atop the looms and lifted the heavy warps

 

Drayman Cart driver; hauler by dray

 

Dredgerman One who in a boat to collect the bits and pieces that had fallen overboard from other vessels which then were sold

 

Drift Maker Made drift nets, used in the fishing industry

 

Dripping Man Dealer in dripping (the fat collected during the cooking of meats)

 

Driver One who drives; coachman

 

Drover Sheep or cattle driver

 

Drugger Pharmacist

 

Drummer One who plays a drum

 

Dry Stone Waller 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

 

Dubbere Cloth dubber, i.e., one who raises the nap of cloth

 

Dudder Maker of coarse cloaks

 

Dyer Employed in the textile mills to color fabric prior to weaving before

 

Dyker Stonemason

 

Dysshere Ditcher (one who dug ditches)

 

E

 

 

Earer Plowman

 

Earth Stopper One who plugs up animal holes

 

Ebonite Turner One who worked with ebonite or vulcanite, making combs or ornaments etc

 

Egg Factor Egg or poultry dealer

 

Eggler Egg or poultry dealer

 

Elephants Teeth Dealer One who dealt in ivory ornaments etc

 

Elymaker Oilmaker

 

Embosser One who raised the surface into bosses; especially ornamenting with raised work

 

Endholder Inn keeper

 

Ensign Lowest ranking commissioned officer

 

Equerry Officer of a prince or noble charged with the care of horses

 

Eremite Hermit, especially a religious recluse

 

Erite Heretic

 

Esquire A landed proprietor

 

Ewe Herd Shepherd

 

Ewer Waterman

 

Exchequer Office charged with the collection and management of the royal revenue and judicial determination of all revenue causes.

 

Exciseman Excise tax collector

 

Executioner one who puts to death.

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F

 

Faber Artisan or workman

 

Fabricator Maker

 

Factor One who acts or transacts business for another

 

Fagetter Made up faggots into bundles, seller of firewood

 

Falconer Breeds, trains, or hunts with hawks 14th century

 

Fancy-Pearl Worker Worked in mother-of-pearl making buttons or fancy goods

 

Fanner Grain winnower from fan(to drive away the chaff of (grain) by means of a current of air) before

 

Fanwright Maker and repairer of fans or winnowing baskets

 

Farandman Traveling merchant

 

Farmer A person who cultivates land or crops or raises animals or fish.

 

Farrier Horse shoer

 

Fawkner Falconer

 

Fear-Nothing Maker Weaver of special kind of thick woolen cloth known as fear-nought, used for protective clothing and lining portholes, walls, and doors of powder magazines on board ships

 

Feather Beater, Feather Driver Cleanser of feathers

 

Feather-Dresser Who cleaned and prepared feathers for sale

 

Featherman Dealer in feathers and plumes

 

Feather Wife Woman who prepared feathers for use

 

Feeder Herdsman

 

Fell Monger Remover of hair or wool from hides in leather making

 

Feller Woodcutter; tanner (based on felling trees or fell as a skin or pelt)

 

Felter Worker in the hatting industry

 

Ferator Farrier or blacksmith

 

Feroner Ironmonger

 

Ferreter Dealer in or manufacturer of ferret (a ferret is also a narrow piece of tape used to bind or edge fabric.)

 

Ferrour, FerurHorse shoer or blacksmith

 

Fettler Cleaned the machinery in woollen mills, removing accumulated fibres, grease, etc., sharpened the fustian cutters knives or needlemaker who filed the needle to a point

 

Fever Blacksmith

 

Fewster Maker of saddletrees

 

Fewterer Keeper of hounds, for hunting or coursing

 

File Cutter A maker of files, involved the cutting of grooves on the file surface

 

Fireman Inspected for, and removed explosive gasses underground in mining.

 

Fiscere Fisherman

 

Fish Fag Female fish monger

 

Fishdryver Victualler

 

Fisher, Fisherman One who fishes

 

Fitter Coal broker

 

Flasher Specialist process worker in the glass industry

 

Flatman Navigated a flat, a broad flat-bottomed boat used for transport, especially in shallow waters

 

Flaxdresser Prepared flax prior to spinning

 

Flesher, Fleshewer Butcher

 

Fleshmonger Butcher

 

Fletcher Arrowmaker

 

Floater Vagrant or one who regulated the year-round workings of the watermeadows 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

 

Floatman Navigated a flat, a broad flat-bottomed boat used for transport, especially in shallow waters

 

Flycoachman Driver of one-horse carriage hired by the day

 

Flying Stationer Street broadsheet seller

 

Fogger Peddler or low class lawyer

 

Fogler Keeper or catcher of bird

 

Foister, Foisterer Joiner

 

Footman Servant in livery formerly attending a rider or required to run in front of his master's carriage.

 

Footpad Robber

 

Foot Straightener One who assembled watch and clock dials in watchmaking

 

Foot-Post Letter carrier or messenger who travelled on foot

 

Forestarius Forester

 

Forester Game warden or forest ranger

 

Forgeman, Forger Blacksmith or assistant

 

Fossetmaker Who made faucets for ale-casks, etc

 

Fower Street cleaner, sweeper

 

Fowler Keeper or catcher of birds

 

Frame Spinner Worker on a loom

 

Framer One who frames houses

 

Freedman One released from slavery

 

Freemason Stonecutter

 

Freser Maker of frieze, a rough plaster

 

Friar a member of a mendicant order

 

Fripperer Buyer & seller of old clothes

 

Friseur Hair dresser

 

Frobisher, Furber Furbisher

 

Fugler Keeper or catcher of birds

 

Fulker Pawnbroker

 

Fuller Cloth trampler or cleaner

 

Furbisher, Furbour Remover of rust, a polisher of metal, eg. Armour; armor polisher century;

 

Furner Baker

 

Furrier Seller or maker of furs

 

Fustian Weaver Maker of corduroy (A durable cut-pile fabric, usually made of cotton, with vertical ribs).

 

G

 

Gabeler Tax collector

 

Gaffer One who smoothed, reheated the neck of and formed lip on a bottle

 

Gaffman A bailiff

 

Gager Tax collector of liquor taxes

 

Galvaniser Iron worker who handled process of coating metal with zinc, to inhibit formation of rust

 

Gamester Gambler or prostitute

 

Ganneker Tavern keeper

 

Gaoler Jailer

 

Garcifer, Garcio Groom, attendant

 

Garlekmonger, Garlicmonger Dealer in garlic

 

Garthman Owner or worker of a fish trap

 

Gater Watchman

 

Gatherer Glassworker who inserted the blow iron into the molten glass ready for the blower

 

Gatherer’s Boy Held a shovel to shield the gatherer's face from the heat

 

Gatward Goat keeper

 

Gauger Customs official who measured the capacity of imported barrels of liquor in order to calculate the customs duty

 

Gaunter Glover (same root as gauntlet)

 

Gaveller Usurer

 

Gelder Castrator of animals, especially horses

 

Geometer Skilled in geometry

 

Gilder Applies gold leaf

 

Ginour, Gynour Engineer (like a siege engineer)

 

Girdler Leather worker who made girdles and belts

 

Glassewryght, Glasswright Maker and mender of glassware

 

Glazier Glass cutter or window classman

 

Glover One that makes or sells gloves

 

Goat Carriage Man Driver of small passenger carriage

 

Goatherd One who tends goats

 

Goldsmith Maker of gold articles, banker

 

Goose Herd Tends geese

 

Gorzeman Seller of gorse or broom before

 

Grace Wife Midwife

 

Granger Farmer

 

Gravedigger Does this really need a description?

 

Graver Carver or sculptor, engraver of images or dockside worker who cleaned ship bottoms by burning and tarring

 

Grazier Pastures and raises cattle

 

Greave / Grieve Bailiff, foreman, sheriff

 

Green Grocer Fruit and vegetable seller

 

Greensmith Worker in copper or latten

 

Gummer One who improved old saws by deepening the cuts

 

 

H

 

Haberdasher a dealer in notions, and men’s wares

 

Hacker Maker of hoes

 

Hackler, Hackman, Hatchler, Heckler, Hempheckler One who separated the coarse part of flax or hemp with a hackle, an instrument with teeth in linen industry

 

Hairman, Hairweaver Weaver of cloth composed wholly or partly of horsehair

 

Hamberghmaker, Hamberow Horse collar maker

 

Hammerman Hammerer, a smith

 

Handle Sticker Put handles on cast ceramic cups, pitchers, etc

 

Handmaiden A personal maid or female servant

 

Handseller Street vendor

 

Hanger-On Hung corves (originally baskets) on rope at the pit-bottom; later used for man who pushed tubs of coal into the mine-shaft cage

 

Hansard Weapon maker or seller

 

Harlot Rogue; prostitute

 

Harper Performer on the harp

 

Hatter Maker of or dealer in hats

 

Hawker Falconer; Peddler

 

Haymonger Dealer in hay

 

Headsman Executioner

 

Headswoman Midwife

 

Hedge Looker Supervised good repair of fence and enclosures

 

Hedger Hedge trimmer

 

Heelmaker Made shoe heels

 

Henchman, Hensman A squire or page to a person of high rank

 

Henter Thief

 

Herald Knights assistant and an expert advisor on heraldry

 

Hetheleder Provider of heather for fuel

 

Hewer Tree cutter before

 

Higgler One who haggles or bargains or itinerant dealer

 

Highwayman Robber who preys on public roads

 

Hillard, Hiller, Hillier Covered houses with slate; tiler

 

Hind Farm laborer

 

Hodsman Mason's assistant

 

Hoggard Pig drover

 

Hooper Makes hoops for casks (not a cooper)

 

Horner Worker in horn making spoons, combs, or musical horns

 

Horse Courser Owner of race horses

 

Horse Knave Groom

 

Horse Leech Veterinarian, farrier

 

Horse Marine Man-handled barges on canals when horses could not be used

 

Hosier Retailer of stockings, socks, gloves, nightcaps

 

Hosteler Innkeeper; One that lodges guests or strangers

 

Hostler, Holster Cares for horses, stableman, groom

 

Hoyman One who carries goods and passengers by water (Hoy-heavy barge for bulky cargo )

 

Huckster Peddler

 

Huissher Usher or door attendant

 

Huntsman A person who manages a hunt and looks after the hounds. 1567

 

Hurdleman, Hurdler Hedge-maker, of wattled framework fencing

 

Husbandman Tenant farmer

 

I

 

Infirmarian In charge of an infirmary

 

Intelligencer Spy

 

Intendant An administrative official (as a governor)

 

Ivory Workers Included makers of combs, boxes, billiard balls, buttons, and keys for pianofortes

 

J

 

Jack Young male assistant, sailor, or lumberjack

 

Jakes-Farmer One who emptied cesspools

 

Jerquer Custom house officer who searched ships

 

Jeweler One who makes or repairs jewelry

 

Joiner, Joyner Skilled carpenter

 

Journeyman One who served his apprenticeship and mastered his craft; properly, one who no longer is bound to serve for years but is hired day to day

 

Judge Public official authorized to decide questions brought before a court

 

K

 

Kedger Ferryman (kedge: to move (a ship) by means of a line attached to a kedge dropped at the distance and in the direction desired)

 

Keeler, Keelman Bargeman (from keel, a flat bottomed boat) 14th century

 

Kempster Wool comber

 

Kepegest Innkeeper

 

Keu Cook

 

Kiddier Skinner or dealer in young goats

 

Kilner In charge of a kiln

 

Kisser Made cuishes and high armor

 

Knacker Harness maker, buyer of old horses and dead animals

 

Knappers Dressed and shaped flints into required shape and size

 

Kneller Chimney sweep who solicited custom by knocking on doors

 

Knight A mounted man-at-arms serving a feudal superior; especially : a man ceremonially inducted into special military rank usually after completing service as page and squire.

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L

 

Laceman Dealer 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 (-Mistress) Employed workers for the production of lace

 

Ladeler Ladle maker

 

Lagger Sailor

 

Lagraetman Local constable (Law-Rightman)

 

Landlord I think this one you would know :)

 

Landwaiter Customs officer whose duty was to wait or attend on landed goods

 

Lardner Keeper of the cupboard (the larder was where food was kept)

 

Laster Shoe maker

 

Latouner, Lattener Worker in latten, brass worker

 

Launderer (Laundress) Washer

 

Lavender Washer woman

 

Legerdemainist Magician; One skilled in slight of hand.

 

Legger Canal boatman

 

Lehrer Teacher

 

Leightonward Gardener (leighton, a garden)

 

Lighterman Worker on a flat-bottomed boat

 

Limner Illuminator of books, painter or drawer; draughtsman or artist

 

Linener Linen draper, shirtmaker

 

Linkerman, Linkman One who carried a link or torch to guide people through city streets at night for a small fee (Term later sometimes applied to general manservant )

 

Lister, Litster Dyer

 

Litterman Groom (of horses)

 

Loadsman Ship's pilot

 

Lock Keeper Overseer of canal locks

 

Lokeer Locksmith

 

Long Song Seller Street seller who sold popular songsheets printed on paper

 

Longshoreman Stevedore

 

Lorimer Maker of horse gear; bridlemaker

 

Lotseller Street seller

 

Lotter One who bought odd lots of wool and consolidated them for sale

 

Lum Swooper Chimney sweep

 

Lumper dock laborer who discharged cargo of timber employed by a master lumper (not the Dock Company) or fine-grain saltmaker, from practice of moulding salt into lumps

 

Lungs Alchemist's servant whose duty was to fan the fire

 

Luthier Maker and repairer of stringed musical instruments (think of Lutes)

 

Lyner Flax dresser

 

M

 

Macun Mason

 

Maderer Gathered and sold garlic

 

Maid Female domestic servant

 

Mail Guard Armed guard, frequently an ex-soldier, employed on the mail coach service

 

Maise Maker One who made measures for weighing herring catch

 

Malemaker Maker traveling bags (sometimes called ’Males’)

 

Malender Farmer

 

Malster Brewer, maker or seller of malts

 

Manciple Steward

 

Mantuamaker Dressmaker

 

Marbler One who stained paper or other material, veined in imitation of marble

 

Marescallus Marshall

 

Marshall High official in the household of a king, prince, or noble originally having charge of the cavalry but later usually in command of the military forces

 

Marshman Paid by various landowners to look after marshlands and tend the animals put to graze there for the season

 

Mashmaker Maker of the mash-vats or mashels used for mixing malt

 

Mason Skilled worker who builds by laying units of substantial material.

 

Master Worker or artisan qualified to teach apprentices

 

Master Mariner Ship's captain

 

Master Of Hounds The individual in charge of the dogs when going on a hunt

 

Matchet Forger Knifemaker

 

Mawer Mower

 

Mealman Dealer in meal or flour

 

Melder Corn miller

 

Mercator Merchant

 

Mercenary Soldier for hire

 

Mercer Cloth seller

 

Meterer Poet

 

Midwife Experience woman who assists in child birth 14th century

 

Miller Corn miller, cloth miller, saw miller

 

Milleress Miller's wife

 

Milliner A person who designs, makes, trims, or sells women's hats.

 

Millpeck Sharpener of mill stones

 

Millwright Designer & builder of mills or mill machinery

 

Miner One who digs for ore or metal

 

Mintmaker, Mintmaster Issuer of local currency

 

Mold Boy Closed and held mold for glassblower, also weighed the bottles

 

Molendinarius, Molitor, Muner Miller

 

Monger Seller or broker of something: fish monger

 

Monthly Nurse Someone who assisted women during the first month after giving birth

 

Moulder Maker Of molds or castings, brickmaker

 

Muffin Maker, Muffin Man Maker/seller who made muffins

 

Muggler Pigman

 

Mugseller Seller of cups, mugs

 

Muleteer, Multurer[/i] Mule driver

 

Musician a composer, conductor, or performer of music; especially as an instrumentalist.

 

Musicker Musician

 

Muslin Flowerer, Muslin Sewer Tambouring of muslin (Tambouring is to do embroidery on a frame consisting of two concentric hoops.)

 

Mustarder, Mustardman Made and dealt in mustard

 

 

N

 

Nagsman A person who schools horses, usually for his employer

 

Naperer, Napier Servant in charge of table linen (based on napery- household linen)

 

Narrow Weaver Weaver of ribbons, tapes, etc

 

Neatherd Cowherder

 

Necessary Woman Servant responsible for emptying and cleaning chamber pots

 

Necker Worker responsible for the feeding of cardboard into the machine the makes boxes

 

Nedder, Nedeller Needle-maker

 

Netmaker, Netter One who wove nets for fishing vessels

 

Night Soilman, Nightman One who emptied cesspits, ashpits and backyard toilets

 

Nightwalker Watchman or bellman

 

Nimgimmer Doctor

 

Nob Thatcher Wig maker

 

Noon Tender Guarded the goods on the quay while the officers were a lunch

 

Noterer Notary

 

Nun Woman belonging to a religious order; especially one under solemn vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience before 12th century

 

Nurse Woman who suckles an infant not her own (wet nurse); woman who takes care of a young child (dry nurse)

 

O

 

Occupier Tradesman

 

Oilman Sold the oil for lamps

 

Olitor Kitchen gardener (from Olitory-a kitchen garden)

 

Onsetter Hung corves (originally baskets) on rope at the pit-bottom; later used for man who pushed tubs of coal into the mine-shaft cage

 

Orderly Soldier who functioned as a servant for an officer

 

Ordinary Keeper Innkeeper

 

Orrery Maker Made a mechanical apparatus for showing the movements of the planets

 

Orrice Weaver Designer of lace patterns to be woven with silk thread and silk

 

Osier Peeler Removed bark from willow rods or osiers which were used in basket weaving, usually women and children (also known as withy peelers)

 

Ostiary Monastery door keeper

 

Ostler Hostler

 

Out Crier Auctioneer

 

Overlooker Superintendent or overseer, especially in the textile

 

Oyster Dredger Member of the crew on board an oyster fishing boat

 

Oyster Raker

 

P

 

Packer Packs goods such as pickles or herring

 

Packman Traveled around carrying goods for sale in a pack

 

Pad Maker Made small baskets used for measuring

 

Page Youth 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

 

Paintress Woman employed in the pottery industry to hand paint the finished articles

 

Paling Man Seller of eels

 

Palister One who ensured the parks were safe and well kept

 

Palmer One who had been, or pretended to have been, to the Holy Land

 

Paneler Saddler

 

Pannarius Clothier and Draper

 

Pannier Fish monger

 

Pannifex Somebody who worked in the cloth trade

 

Panter Keeper of the pantry

 

Pantler Butler

 

Paper-Stainer One who made wallpaper

 

Parcheminer Parchment maker

 

Pardoner One licensed to sell Papal Indulgences, usually a preacher.

 

Parfumier Manufacturer and purveyor of scents such as perfumes, colognes and even incense

 

Pargeter Applied ornamental plaster to buildings (parget-to coat with plaster)

 

Paritor Church officer who attended the magistrates and justices at court for the purpose of executing their orders

 

Parker Park caretaker

 

Parmentor A parchment maker, or tailor

 

Passage Keeper Kept passages and alleys clean

 

Pasteler Pastry chef

 

Pastor Shepherd (most likely the genesis of Pastor also being a priest, since the flock was their congregation)

 

Patten Maker Clog maker or the person who made wooden soles (pattens) to fit under normal shoes to protect from wet and muddy ground

 

Pattenmaker Maker of iron-rimmed pattens for footwear

 

Paver, Pavier, Paviour Laid paving stones

 

Pavyler Put up pavilions or tents etc

 

Pedascule Schoolmaster

 

Pelliparius Skinner

 

Peltarius, Pelterer One who worked with animal skins

 

Perambulator Surveyor

 

Perchemear One who made parchment

 

Peregrinator Itinerant wanderer

 

Perfumer Manufacturer and purveyor of scents such as perfumes, colognes and even incense

 

Perukemaker, Peruker Wigmaker

 

Pessoner Fish monger

 

Peterman Fisherman

 

Pettifogger A lawyer whose methods are petty, underhanded, or disreputable

 

Petty Chapman Dealer or peddler of goods usually itinerant going from village to village

 

Pewterer Made pewter utensils (using any of various alloys having tin as chief component especially a dull alloy with lead)

 

Physician A person skilled in the art of healing

 

Picker One who cast the shuttle on a loom

 

Pickpocket Thief specializing in removing items from "clients'" clothing

 

Pictor Painter

 

Pigman One who sold crockery or bred or looked after pigs on the farm

 

Pikelet Maker Baker who specialised in making pikelets (a small pancake or crumpet)

 

Pikeman Miller's assistant, or a soldier who wielded a pike

 

Piker Tramp or vagrant

 

Piller Robber

 

Pilot Ship steersman

 

Pinder Keeper of the Pound or Pinfold dog catcher

 

Piner Laborer

 

Pinner Pin maker, dressmakers assistant

 

Pinsetter One who manually set up bowling pins (for those nobles who do bowl)

 

Pioneer Military engineer

 

Piper Innkeeper, Flautist

 

Piscarius Fishmonger

 

Piscator Fisherman

 

Pistor Miller or baker

 

Pitman Coal miner

 

Plaicher Hedge layer

 

Plain Worker Performed plain sewing or needlework as opposed to an embroiderer

 

Plaiter Maker of straw plaits used in making hats etc (plait-to briad)

 

Planker One who planks or kneads the body of the hat during felting

 

Plantifene Hay and Forage Merchant

 

Plasher, Platcher Hedge layer

 

Playderer One who made plaid

 

Player Actor

 

Pleacher Hedge layer

 

Plomer Plumber

 

Plowman Farmer a farm laborer

 

Plowwright Maker or repairer of plows

 

Plumassier Made or sold plumes, ornamental feathers

 

Plumbum Worker Plumber

 

Plumer Made or sold plumes, ornamental feathers

 

Poacher One who illegally hunted lands belonging to others; one that trespasses or steals.

 

Pointer Sharpened needles or pins or lace maker

 

Pointmaker, Pointman Made the tips of laces

 

Poldave Worker Made poldave, a coarse fabric

 

Poleman Surveyor's assistant or one who poled barges across rivers

 

Polentier Poulterer (one who sells poultry)

 

Ponderator Inspector of weights and measures

 

Porter Took care of the doors (janitor), particularly the main entrance. Responsible for the guardrooms. The person also insured that no one entered or left the castle without permission. Also known as the door-ward

 

Post Boy Carried mail from town to town, guard who traveled on the mail coach or outrider who traveled with the stagecoach as a postillion

 

Poster One who worked in the quarries breaking rocks

 

Postillion One who rides as a guide on the near horse of one of the pairs attached to a coach or post chaise especially without a coachman

 

Pot Man One who worked in public houses washing and removing dirty pots also did other menial tasks

 

Potato Badger Seller of potatoes

 

Potter Maker or seller of pottery

 

Potter Carrier Chemist or pharmacist

 

Potter Thrower Potter who used a wheel and therefore had to throw the clay

 

Poulter, Poulterer Seller of poultry

 

Powler Barber

 

Preceptor/Preceptress the headmaster/headmistress or principal of a school

 

Prediger Preacher

 

Prentis Apprentice

 

Pricker A horseman 14th century

 

Prig Napper Horse thief

 

Proctor One appointed to supervise students

 

Prothonotary Chief clerk of any of various courts of law

 

Publican A tax collector; the licensee of a public house

 

Puddler Worked clay into puddle, worked with puddle to make things water tight eg canal walls or worked in puddling iron

 

Purser An official on a ship responsible for papers and accounts and on a passenger ship also for the comfort and welfare of passengers

 

Pursuivant An officer of arms ranking below a herald but having similar duties

 

Pynner Pin-maker

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Q

 

Quarrel Picker Glazier

 

Quarrier, Quarryman Quarry worker 14th century

 

Quartermaster Petty officer who attends to a ship's helm, binnacle, and signals

 

Quilter (Quiltress) One who quilted material

 

Quister One who bleached things

 

Qwylwryghte Wheelwright

 

R

 

Raffman One who dealt in raff (saleable rubbish)

 

Rag And Bone Man One 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 Cutter One who cut up rags into small pieces to be used for making paper etc

 

Rag Man One who went from street to street collecting and selling old clothes and rags

 

Rag Picker Sorted through the left over rags to find re usable ones

 

Raker Street sanitation worker

 

Ratoner Rat catcher

 

Rattlewatch Town watchman

 

Rectifier One who distilled alcoholic spirits

 

Redar Interpreter of dreams

 

Reddsman, Redesman, Redsman Was employed in maintaining mine haulage ways

 

Reeder Worked with reeds for hedging or thatching

 

Reedmaker Made the pipe for a musical instrument or made a weavers implement (a reed) or reed cloth or the comb used in tapestry

 

Reeler Operated the machine that wound the yarn onto the bobbin

 

Reaver Robber

 

Reeve A medieval English manor officer responsible chiefly for overseeing the discharge of feudal obligations

 

Registrar Official who registers events such as land purchases or births

 

Renovator One who repaired clothing

 

Rickmaster Captain of Horse

 

Riddler Wool stapler

 

Riftere Reaper

 

Rigger Hoist tackle worker; works on a ship's rigging

 

Ripper, Rippier One who sold fresh water fish at the markets or maker and seller of baskets

 

Riverman Worker on a river boat

 

Rockgetter Rocksalt miner

 

Rockman Worked in a quarry usually placing the charges on the rockface

 

Rodman Surveyor's assistant

 

Roll Turner Carder of wool, cotton etc into rolls prior to spinning

 

Roller Coverer One who covered the rollers for the spinning process

 

Rolleyway Man Maintained the underground road in the mines

 

Roman Cementer, Roman Plasterer One who worked with roman cement used in stuccoing

 

Roper Maker of rope or nets

 

Rotaries Wheelwright

 

Rubbisher, Rubbler Sorted the small stones in the quarries

 

Rugman Dealer in rugs

 

Runner Smuggler, messenger and ironically one who worked for the magistrate best remembered as Bow Street Runners

 

Rustler Cattle thief

 

 

S

 

Saddle Tree Maker One who made the frames for saddles that the saddler used

 

Saddler One who made saddles, harnesses, horse collars, bridles

 

Safernman Grower of Saffron

 

Sailmaker A tailor who made sailcloth for ships

 

Saloonist Saloon keeper

 

Saltboiler One who obtained salt by boiling water

 

Salter, Sauntere One who made or dealt in salt before

 

Samite, Samitere Maker of a kind of heavy silk

 

Sand Hog Those who dug tunnels under a the river

 

Sandesman Ambassador or messenger

 

Sandwichman Wears a sandwich billboard for advertising

 

Sapper A military specialist in field fortification work

 

Sarcinet Weaver Silk weaver

 

Saucer, Sausere One who made or dealt in salt

 

Sawyer Saws timber to boards

 

Scaleraker Employed by a parish to clean the streets

 

Scappler One who roughly shaped the stone prior to being finished by the stonemason

 

Scavelman Employed to keep the waterways and ditches clear

 

Scavenger Ultimate recycler

 

Scholar Pupil

 

Schrimpschonger Artisan who carves in bone, ivory, or wood

 

Schumacker Shoemaker

 

Scribe Clerk

 

Scriber Employed at the docks to mark the cotton bales with the approximate weight ready for selling by the brokers

 

Scrimer Fencing master

 

Scrivener Professional or public copyist or writer

 

Scrutineer Election judge (Among free towns, and such, elections were actually commonplace)

 

Scullery Maid Female servant who performed all the menial tasks

 

Scullion A kitchen helper 15th century

 

Scutcher One who beats the flax to soften the straw in the bundles

 

Seal Presser Employed in the glass industry to seal the bath against air intake which could spoil the finished surface

 

Seamster, Sempstor Tailor

 

Searcher Customs man

 

Sedgeman Skilled workman who applied sedge (type of grass) which was used as an early roofing material

 

Seedsman Sower of seeds

 

Seinter Girdlemaker

 

Semi Lorer Maker of leather thongs

 

Seneschal A senior steward of a manor

 

Serviens Sergeant

 

Servus Servant

 

Sewer Hunter Scavenger who concentrated on the sewers trying to find valuable objects

 

Sewer Rat Bricklayer who specialised in making and repairing sewers and tunnels

 

Sexton Employee or officer of a church who cared and upkept church property and sometimes rang bells and dug graves

 

Shearer, Sheepshhearer Removed the fleece from sheep

 

Sheargrinder Sharpened shears, scissors

 

Shearman, Sherman One who raised the surface of woolen cloth and then sheared it to a smooth surface

 

Sheath Maker, Sheather One who made scabbards for swords (Vaginarius is more fun)

 

Sheepman Shepherd

 

Shepster Dressmaker

 

Sheriff An important official of a shire or county charged primarily with judicial duties before

 

Shingler A roof tiler who used wooden tiles (shingles)

 

Shipwright Constructor or repairer or ships

 

Shoesmith Cobbler, one who shoed horses

 

Shop Joyner, Shopjoiner Housewright

 

Shrager One who trimmed and pruned trees

 

Shrieve Confessional priest

 

Shuffler Yardman on the farms

 

Shuster Shoe maker

 

Shuttle Maker Made the shuttles for the weaving mills

 

Sickleman Reaper

 

Sidesman One who assisted the churchwarden

 

Sifker Sievemaker

 

Silk Dresser Prepared the silk for weaving

 

Silk Mercer Sold silk cloth and items made from silk

 

Silk Twister Silk spinner

 

Silker Sewed the ends of the fabric to prevent the layers from separating

 

Silversmith Worked with silver

 

Simpler Agriculturist that we would call herbalist today

 

Skinker Tapster in an ale house

 

Skinner Dealer in hides, mule driver

 

Skipper Master of a ship

 

Slaper, Slapper One who worked in a pottery preparing the clay for the potter

 

Slater Roofer

 

Slaymaker, Sleymaker Apparently an Old English name meaning maker of slay's--wooden pegs used in weaving

 

Slopseller Seller of readymade clothes in a slop shop

 

Smackman Worked on a sailing ship (as a sloop or cutter) used chiefly in coasting and fishing

 

Smelter Worker in a metal smelter, smelt fisherman

 

Smiddy Smith

 

Smith Metal worker

 

Smugsmith Smuggler

 

Snapper Worker in glass factory who placed molded bottle (by neck) into furnace hole

 

Snobscat One who repair shoes

 

Snuffer Maker Made the candle snuffer

 

Soap Boiler Soap maker

 

Sojourner Clothier Traveling clothes salesman

 

Solicitor Lawyer

 

Soper Soap maker

 

Sortor Tailor

 

Souter Shoe maker

 

Spallier Tin worker who performs chiefly menial tasks

 

Sperviter Keeper of sparrows

 

Spicer Grocer or dealer in spices

 

Spinner, Spinster Spins yarn, usually female

 

Sponman Maker of shingles or spoons

 

Spooner Made spoons

 

Spurrer, Spurrier Maker of spurs

 

Squire (Esquire)

 

Stabler Ostler/Hostler (they took care of horses at an inn)

 

Stallman Keeper of a market stall

 

Stapler One who sorted the wool into different grades

 

Stasyon, Stationer, Stawson Bookseller, seller of paper & writing implements

 

Stay Maker Corset maker

 

Steeple Jacker Painted flag poles etc

 

Steersman Ship’s helmsman

 

Stevedore Loaded and unloaded a ship’s stores

 

Steward One employed in a large household or estate to manage domestic concerns

 

Sticher One who does decorative stitching

 

Stillroom Maid A maid employed in a large household to take care of the stillroom. (that is, the room for distilling and storage of liquors, medicines and herbs) possibly from Middle English stillen (to drip)

 

Stockinger Knitter, weaver, or dealer in stockings

 

Stoker Tends the fire in a smithy

 

Stone Picker Employed to remove the stones from the farmers fields before planting

 

Stone Workers Worked with stone eg masons, quarriers etc

 

Stoneman, Stonewarden A surveyor of highways

 

Storeman One responsible for stored goods

 

Stover Senior member of a partnership of miners, and in charge at the surface

 

Stowyer One who stowed the nets away on fishing boats

 

Stravaiger Vagrant

 

Straw Joiner One who thatched roofs

 

Straw Plaiter One who made straw braids for the hat industry

 

Streaker One who prepared the body for burial

 

Striker Blacksmith’s helper or one who harpoons the whale

 

Stringer Made the strings for bows

 

Stripper Employed in the woollen trade to remove the rubbish from the carding

 

Stuff Gowsman Junior barrister

 

Stuff Weaver Wove stuff (the coarse part of flax)

 

Sucksmith One who made ploughshares

 

Sugarer Dealer in sugar.

 

Sumner, Summoner See Apparitor above

 

Sumter Porter

 

Surgeon a medical specialist who practices surgery.

 

Sutler Civilian provisioner to an army post often with a shop on the post

 

Sutor Shoemaker or cobbler

 

Swailer Miller or dealer in grain

 

Swain Herdsman

 

Sweep Chimneysweep

 

Swell Maker One who made shallow baskets

 

Swineherd, Swineherder, Swineyard Pig herder

 

Swingler One who beats flax to remove woody parts (from swing)

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T

 

Tabernarius Taverner, innkeeper

 

Tabler Boarding house operator

 

Tacksman Middleman who leased a large piece of land from the owner and sublet it in small lots

 

Tailor One who made or repaired clothes 14th century

 

 

Tally Clerk Kept count of goods arriving or departing from warehouses, docks etc

 

Tallyfellow, Tallyman One who sold goods that were paid for in installments

 

Tan Bark Stripper Collected the bark that was used in the tanning process

 

Tannator Tanner

 

Tanner Leather maker

 

Taper Weaver One who made the wicks for candles

 

Tapiter / Tapicer One who wove worsted (Firm-textured, compactly twisted woolen yarn made from long-staple fibers. ) cloth

 

Tapley One who puts the tap in an ale cask

 

Tapster Bartender or barmaid

 

Tar Boy Applied tar (as antiseptic) to sheep when they were nicked by shearers

 

Tasker Reaper

 

Tasseler One who made tassels used in furnishings or nobleman

 

Taverner Innkeeper

 

Tawer, Tawyer White leather maker

 

Teaser One who opens up matted wool for carding

 

Teemer Person who emptied grain from the cart or who poured the molten steel into the moulds

 

Tenterer One who stretched the cloth on a machine while it was drying

 

Textor Weaver

 

Thacker Thatcher (Not Margaret, but one who covered roofs with straw or reeds.

 

Thatcher One who covered roofs with straw or reeds

 

Third borough An underconstable

 

Thresher One who separated the grain from the husks and straw

 

Throwster One in the textile trade who twisted the strands of fibre together into yarn

 

Ticket Writer Person (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 (Wo)Man Sold earthenware from town to town

 

Tide Gauger, Tide Surveyor Monitored the state of the tide

 

Tide Waiter, Tidesman Customs official

 

Tiler One who put tiles in place either on the roof or floor

 

Tillerman, Tillman Plowman

 

Tinctor Dyer

 

Tinker a usually itinerant mender of household utensils

 

Tinman A tinsmith or tinker

 

Tinner Tin miner, tinsmith

 

Tipper One who put the metal tips on arrows etc

 

Tippler Kept an ale house

 

Tipstaff Policeman

 

Tirewoman Female dresser, especially in the theater (tire being short for attire)

 

Tixtor Weaver

 

Todhunter Employed by the parish to hunt foxes

 

Toe Rag Who worked at the docks as a corn porter

 

Toilinet Manufacturer Made toilinet (a kind of quilting)

 

Toller, Tollgate Keeper, Tollie, Tolman Worked at the toll gate to collect fees for use of the road

 

Tonsur Barber possibly from tonsura

 

Tool Helver Made tool handles

 

Top Sawyer Upper man in a saw pit

 

Topman Sailor who works in the ship's rigging

 

Topsman Head cattle drover

 

Tosher Sewer hunters were 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

 

Town Chaberlain One who looked after the towns affairs

 

Town Crier One who made public announcements in the streets

 

Town Husband Employed by the parish to collect the money from the fathers of illegitimate children for their upkeep

 

Townswaiter Customs man

 

Tozer Worked in the wool mills employed to tose or tease the cloth

 

Trammer Young person who worked in the mines

 

Trampler Lawyer

 

Tranqueter Person who made hoops

 

Translator As well as someone fluent in multiple languages, it is a low level shoemaker; the shoemaker whose only job was to resole shoes back to working order.

 

Tranter Peddler

 

Trapper Someone who lays traps for furs, as well as one employed in the mines to open and shut the doors for the miners

 

Travers Toll bridge collection

 

Treen Maker Made domestic articles from wood

 

Treenail Maker One who made the long wooden pins used in shipbuilding

 

Trenchermaker Made wooden boards or platters for serving food from or cutting and slicing food on

 

Trencherman Cook

 

Trepanger One who used a circular saw to cut timber

 

Trimmer Trims a ship by re-arranging its cargo

 

Troacher Peddler

 

Troner Weighing official at the markets

 

Trotman, Trott, Trotter Messenger

 

Troubadour Bard

 

Trouchman Interpreter

 

Trover Smuggler

 

Truchman Interpreter

 

Trugger One who made long shallow baskets

 

Tubber One who made tubs and barrels ie a cooper

 

Tubman English barrister

 

Tucker Cleaner of cloth goods

 

Tucker In A maid who attended the bedroom and tucked in the bedclothes

 

Turner Gymnast

 

Turnkey Prison warder or jail keeper

 

Turnpike Keeper Worked at the toll gate to collect fees for use of the road

 

Turnspit One who operated the spit handle

 

Tutor Private teacher for older children

 

Tweenie Maid, Tweeny Maid A woman who worked between the stairs she assisted the cooks and the housemaids

 

Twister, Twisterer One who operated the machine used for twisting yarns and threads together

 

 

U

 

Ulnager One appointed to examine the quality of woolen goods to be sold

 

Underviewer Junior official in charge of mine in Viewer's absence

 

Upholder Upholsterer and also a seller of secondhand goods

 

Upright Worker Chimney sweep

 

Usurer One that lends money

 

V

 

Vageler Keeper or catcher of birds

 

Vaginarius Scabbard maker

 

Valet Male servant that attended a nobleman or gentleman

 

Valuator One who valued objects

 

Vassal Servant of the lowest order

 

Vatman One who put the paper pulp into the moulds in paper-making industry or worked with vats e.g. In beer and wine making

 

Venator, Venur Huntsman

 

Verderer Official in charge of a forest

 

Verger One who worked with the priest in the running the church

 

Verrier Glazier

 

Vestmentmaker One who made the gowns worn by priests

 

Victualer Seller of food/drink

 

Viewer One who worked at the mines in a managerial capacity

 

Villein One who paid dues to the lord of the manor in return for use of the land

 

Vineroon, Vintager Grape farmer, wine maker

 

Vinter, Vintner Wine merchant

 

Virginal Player Player of a musical instrument similar to a harpsichord

 

Vogelaar, Vogeler, Vogler, Voweler Keeper or catcher of birds

 

Vulcan Blacksmith

 

W

 

Wabster Weaver

 

Wagoner Wagon or cart driver

 

Wailer One employed in the mines to remove the impurities from the coal

 

Wainwright Builder or repairer of wagons

 

Wait Night watchman

 

Waiter Customs officer who watched over the of loading off goods on the coast, as well as one who takes orders and delivers food.

 

Wakeman Night watchman

 

Walker Cloth trampler or cleaner

 

Walking-Stick Filer One who made walking sticks

 

Waller One who built walls either brick or dry stone, also a person who worked making coarse salt

 

Wantcatcher, Wanter Mole catcher

 

Warder In charge of prisoners

 

Warehouseman In charge of or employee in a warehouse

 

Warper Set the warp thread on the looms or employed to move boats by hauling on the warps (the ropes attached to the boats)

 

Warrener In charge of a portion of land used for breeding rabbits and other small game

 

Washman Tin coater

 

Watchman Town official who guarded the streets at night

 

Water Bailiff Official in charge of the fishing rights on a stretch of water

 

Water Carrier, Water Leader, Water Leder, Water Loder Carted and sold fresh water

 

Water Gilder Trapped water fowl

 

Waterman Worked with or on boats usually on rivers

 

Waterseller Brought water to the castle or manor to sell

 

Wattle Hurdle Maker Made a type of fence from wattle to keep the sheep in

 

Waulkmiller Cloth worker

 

Way Man Surveyor of roads

 

Way-Maker Employed to make roads

 

Weatherspy Astrologer

 

Weaver One who made baskets etc

 

Webber, Webster Weaver (originally a female weaver)

 

Weigher Worked on the docks to weigh the cargo as it was unloaded

 

Weirkeeper One who keeps fish traps

 

Well Sinker Dug wells

 

Well Wright Made the winding equipment used to raise the bucket in the well

 

Wellmaster One in charge of the local well with the responsibility of ensuring clean water for the village

 

Wet Glover Made leather gloves

 

Wet Nurse Woman employed to suckle the child of another (common practice with the rich); A woman usually needed to be pregnant to start producing milk but the supply of milk from a woman is demand driven - the woman would continue to supply milk as long as it was needed.

 

Wetter Dampened paper during the printing process or in the glass industry who detached the glass by wetting

 

Whacker Horse or oxen team driver

 

Wharfinger Owner of a wharf

 

Wheeler Wheel 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

 

Wheelwright Maker or repairer of wagon wheels

 

Wheeryman In charge of a wheery (a small light rowing boat)

 

Whipcord Maker, Whipmaker Made whips

 

Whipperin Managed the hounds in a hunt

 

White Limer Plastered walls using lime and water plaster

 

White Smith Tin smith

 

Whitear Hide cleaner

 

Whitener, Whitester, Whitster One who bleached cloth

 

Whitewing Streetsweeper

 

Whittawer One who made saddles and harness

 

Willow Plaiter One who made baskets etc

 

Windster Silk winder

 

Wood Cutter Wood chopper

 

Wood Reeve, Woodranger, Woodward In charge of the forest or woods

 

Woodbreaker One who made wooden water casks

 

Wool Driver One who brought the wool to market

 

Wool Factor Wool merchant’s agent

 

Wool Man, Wool Sorter One who sorted the wool into different grades

 

Wool Winder One who made up balls of wool for selling

 

Woolen Billy Piecer Worked in the woolen mills to piece together the broken yarns

 

Woolsted Man A seller of woolen cloth (from worsted man)

 

Wright Maker or repairer of wagon wheels, a general builder or repairer

 

Wyrth Laborer

 

X

 

Xylographer One who used and made wooden blocks used in printing illustrations

 

Y

 

Yatman Gate keeper

 

Yearman One contracted to work for a year

 

Yeoman Farmer who owns his own land; Freehold farmer

 

Z

 

Zitherist Player of a simple, flat many-stringed instrument

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I spent twenty years doing 17th-century re-enactment and about 95% of these are familiar to me. What did your dad do, to compile so long a list?

 

I'd add a rider to the term 'bodger' - these were usually men who for one reason or another had not completed an apprenticeship or had not progressed beyond journeyman, so they could not join a guild and call themselves by the name of their trade. It did not mean that they were bad at their work - I suspect the present corruption came from the fact that bodgers were jacks-of-all-woodtrades and as usual, a minority got the majority a bad name.

 

-Y-

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I spent twenty years doing 17th-century re-enactment and about 95% of these are familiar to me. What did your dad do, to compile so long a list?

 

During what spare time he had in college, he was heavily into the SCA (like I used to be), but other obligations took him out of it. He really was quite enamored of history before the 1700's. The main reason for the list he got though was for his role-playing games he used to run...he was one of these that did always like to add such stuff for color.

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He really was quite enamored of history before the 1700's.

I have to admit I lose interest in the detail after 1660 (the Restoration of the Monarchy); I have shelves full of books dealing with the personalities and the social and political aspects of the English Civil War. I even took it as an Open University subject back in the 1980s.... unfortunately, leaving Britain for Ireland killed all of that. It's amazing how much a 30-mile stretch of water can cramp your style when two ferry companies have a stranglehold on it.

 

-Y-

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Guest DalreïDal

Just spotted a word in French up there - Accoucheus - in French it would be spelled "Accoucheuse" (feminine of "Accoucheur", right?). I don't know if it's either a typo or the correct way to write it in English, but I just thought I'd point it out to you in case it's supposed to take a "e".

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