Bri Posted April 4, 2005 Share Posted April 4, 2005 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. Link to comment
Bri Posted April 4, 2005 Author Share Posted April 4, 2005 A-B 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 Link to comment
Bri Posted April 4, 2005 Author Share Posted April 4, 2005 C-E 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. Link to comment
Bri Posted April 4, 2005 Author Share Posted April 4, 2005 F-K 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. Link to comment
Bri Posted April 4, 2005 Author Share Posted April 4, 2005 L-P 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 Link to comment
Bri Posted April 4, 2005 Author Share Posted April 4, 2005 Q-S 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) Link to comment
Bri Posted April 4, 2005 Author Share Posted April 4, 2005 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 Link to comment
Yovaneth Posted April 5, 2005 Share Posted April 5, 2005 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- Link to comment
Bri Posted April 5, 2005 Author Share Posted April 5, 2005 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. Link to comment
Yovaneth Posted April 6, 2005 Share Posted April 6, 2005 He really was quite enamored of history before the 1700's.<{POST_SNAPBACK}> 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- Link to comment
Guest DalreïDal Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 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". Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.