Occupations
      Of Our Colonial Ancestors

Occupations Beginning With The Letter   ~   A

Abactor One who drives away or steals cattle in herds, or great numbers at once, in distinction from those that steal only a sheep or two.
Abbatess Obsolete name as Abbess.
Abbatis Obsolete form of "Avenor": a steward of the stables or an "Hostler". [UEED]
Abbess The female superior of a nunnery or convent of women, having the same authority over nuns that an abbot has over monks.
Abbod Early form of Abbot.
Abbot The head or superior of an abbey.
Abigail A waiting-woman, a lady's-maid.
Abigeus Same as Abactor. A cattle thief. [UEED]
Academician A member of an academy, or society for promoting arts and sciences.
Acater A purchaser of provision, a purveyor; a provider or preparer of cates or delicacies; a cater or caterer.
Accessour A variation in the spelling of the name: assessor.
Accipitrary A keeper and tamer of hawks.
Accomptant This is the archaic form of accountant, i.e. one who reckons or maintains financial matters for others.
Accompter This is the obsolete form of accounter.
Accoucheur A man who assists women in childbirth. Although it was usually performed by a woman under the name of "midwife", when a man helped with childbirth, he took on this name. The name is French in origin, and so might have been employed moreso in France and the colonial regions where the French settled. Over the years, the occupation became what we now know as an obstetrician.
Accoucheuse This is A variation in the spelling of the name: a midwife. It is the French name, and as with the male version of accoucheur would have been used in primarily in France and in certain regions of the American Colonies where French immigrants had settled.
Accoutrement-maker One who works with accoutrements, which refers to: apparel, outfit, equipment.
Achator A variation in the spelling of the name: acater.
Achatour A variation in the spelling of the name: acater.
Ackerman A variation in the spelling of the name: acreman.
Acolyte An inferior officer in the church who attended the priests and deacons, and performed subordinate duties, as lighting and bearing candles, etc.
Acreman A cultivator of the ground, a husbandman, or ploughman.
Acrobat A rope-dancer; a performer of daring gymnastic feats and evolutions, a tumbler..
Actor The proctor or advocate in Civil Courts or cases. [According to A New Law Dictionary, by Giles Jacob, 1744]
Actuary An amanuensis, a keeper of accounts.
Adjutant An assistant or helper. Also, an officer in the army whose business it is to assist the superior officers by receiving and communicating orders, conducting correspondence, and the like.
Adjutant-general An officer who assists he general of an army.
Adjutator A helper, an assistant.
Adjutor A helper, assistant.
Admerall A variation in the spelling of the name: admiral.
Administrator One who administers; one who manages, carries on, or directs the affairs of any establishment or institution; a steward, minister, or acting governor.
Admirail A variation in the spelling of the name: admiral.
Admiral The commander-in-chief of teh navy of a country; in England, formerly, the title of "an officer or magistrate that has the government of the king's navy, and the hearing and determining all causes, as well civil as criminal, belonging to the sea". Also, a naval officer of the highest rank; the commander of a fleet or squadron; a flag-officer. Also, the priviledged commander of a fishing or merchant fleet.
Admirald A variation in the spelling of the name: admiral.
Admirale A variation in the spelling of the name: admiral.
Admirall A variation in the spelling of the name: admiral.
Admiralle A variation in the spelling of the name: admiral.
Admirant A variation in the spelling of the name: admiral.
Admyral A variation in the spelling of the name: admiral.
Admyrall A variation in the spelling of the name: admiral.
Admyralle A variation in the spelling of the name: admiral.
Advocat A variation in the spelling of the name: advocate.
Advocate One whose profession it is to plead the cause of any one in a court of justice; a councellor or counsel.
Advoket A variation in the spelling of the name: advocate.
Advokette A variation in the spelling of the name: advocate.
Advourer An advocate or patron.
Advowee An advocate, protector, or patron.
Adz-man According to Edwin Tunis in his book, Colonial Living, the adz-man would use an adz to clean up the logs that would be roughly squared by a hewer in preparation for using them in the construction of a building.
Aeremite A variation in the spelling of the name: eremite.
Aeronaut One who sails through the air, or who makes balloon ascents; a balloonist. Also used of any air pilot.
Affearer A variation in the spelling of the name: affeeror.
Affeeror He that affeers. In this case, the word affeers means to: to fix or settle the amount of amercement; to access. This name may be applied to a tax assessor.
Afferour A variation in the spelling of the name: affeeror.
Affurer A variation in the spelling of the name: affeeror.
Agent A doer, a factor or dealer for another. [UEED]
Agister A variation in the spelling of the name: agistor.
Agistor One who agists. spec. An officer of the royal forests, who takes charge of cattle agisted, and accounts for the money paid for their agistment. In this case, the word agist refers to: remain and feed for a specified time.
Agriculturer One particularly engaged in agriculture, a husbandman.
Agriculturalist A student of the science of agriculture.
Alanerarius A manager and keeper of dogs for the sport of hawking. [According to A New Law Dictionary, by Giles Jacob, 1744]
Alblaster A variation in the spelling of the name: arbalester.
Alblastere A variation in the spelling of the name: arbalester.
Alblastrer A variation in the spelling of the name: arbalester.
Alchemist One who studies or practices alchemy. In this case, alchemy refers to: the chemistry of the Middle Ages and 16th c.; now applied distinctively to the pursuit of the transmutation of baser metals into gold, which (with the search for the alkahest or universal solvent, and the panacea or universal remedy) constituted the chief practical object of early chemistry.
Alchemister Another name for: alchemist.
Alchimist A variation in the spelling of the name: alchemist.
Alchimiste A variation in the spelling of the name: alchemist.
Alchymist A variation in the spelling of the name: alchemist.
Alckmist A variation in the spelling of the name: alchemist.
Alcumist A variation in the spelling of the name: alchemist.
Alderman A senior, signor, superior, ruler; a noble or person of high rank. Also, the headman, ruler, governor, or warden of a guild. Also, the man who occupied the position held in an earlier stage of society by the aldor, patriarch or chief of the clan. Alderman hath the same signification as Senator, or Senior; but at this day, and long since, those are called Alderman who are associates to the Civil Magistrate of a city or town corporate. [According to A New Law Dictionary, by Giles Jacob, 1744]
Aldirman A variation in the spelling of the name: alderman.
Aldormann A variation in the spelling of the name: alderman.
Aldreman A variation in the spelling of the name: alderman.
Aldurman A variation in the spelling of the name: alderman.
Aldurmon A variation in the spelling of the name: alderman.
Aldyrman A variation in the spelling of the name: alderman.
Ale-brewer One who brews ale.
Aleconner An examiner or inspector of ale.
Alecunner A variation in the spelling of the name: aleconner.
Ale-dealer One who sells in ale.
Ale-draper An alehouse-keeper.
Ale-founder One who tests; only in ale-founder.
Alehouse-keeper One who owns and operates an alehouse. In this case the word alehouse refers to: a house where ale is retailed; hence, a tippling house.
Alekonner A variation in the spelling of the name: aleconner.
Alemonger One who sells ale.
Aleneger A variation in the spelling of the name: alnager.
Ale-taster An officer appointed to examine or try the ale sold within his jurisdiction. Ale-taster is an officer appointed in every Court Leet, sworn to look to the assize and goodness of Ale and Beer, etc. [According to A New Law Dictionary, by Giles Jacob, 1744]
Ale-tunner One employed to fill casks of beer
Ale-wife A woman that keeps an ale-house.
Alkanamyer Another name for: alchemist.
Alkemyste A variation in the spelling of the name: alchemist.
Allblawster A variation in the spelling of the name: arbalester.
Allderrmann A variation in the spelling of the name: alderman.
Allnager A variation in the spelling of the name: alnager.
Almoner An official distributor of the alms of another. This name was applied to a person who distributed charity, or alms, to the poor and needy on behalf of another, such as a prince or monarch. This would not have been an occupation that would have required the full time of the person who performed it; it would have probably been one of many duties of a prince or monarch's chamberlain, (who collected revenues and paid expenses).
Almsman An almsgiver. Also, one supported by alms, or by funds bequeathed for the support of the poor; a bedesman.
Alnageor A variation in the spelling of the name: alnager.
Alnager A sworn officer appointed to examine and attest the measurement and quality of woolen goods. Alnager, or Aulnager, is properly a measurer by the ell; and the word aulne in French signifieth an ell. An Aulnager with us is a publick sworn officer of the King's, whose place it is to examine into the assize of all cloths, made throughout the land, and to fix seals upon them; and another branch of his office is to collect a subsidy or aulnage duty granted to the King. [According to A New Law Dictionary, by Giles Jacob, 1744]
Alneager A variation in the spelling of the name: alnager.
Amanuensis This person worked as a secretary, short for servis a manu + ensis belonging to, or one who copies or writes from the dictation of another. It was also used as a substitute name for a scribe, who copied manuscripts.
Ambactus A servant or client. [According to A New Law Dictionary, by Giles Jacob, 1744]
Ambassador Of Morocco According to the 1811 Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue, by Captain Grose, this was a name given to a shoemaker.
Ambidexter According to the 1811 Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue, by Captain Grose, this was a name given to a lawyer who takes fees from both plaintiff and defendant.
Amerall A variation in the spelling of the name: admiral.
Ameralle A variation in the spelling of the name: admiral.
Ameraunt A variation in the spelling of the name: admiral.
Amerayle A variation in the spelling of the name: admiral.
Amerell A variation in the spelling of the name: admiral.
Amerelle A variation in the spelling of the name: admiral.
Amiral A variation in the spelling of the name: admiral.
Amireld A variation in the spelling of the name: admiral.
Amrall A variation in the spelling of the name: admiral.
Amrayl A variation in the spelling of the name: admiral.
Amrayle A variation in the spelling of the name: admiral.
Amrel A variation in the spelling of the name: admiral.
Amrelle A variation in the spelling of the name: admiral.
Amyral A variation in the spelling of the name: admiral.
Amyrall A variation in the spelling of the name: admiral.
Amyralle A variation in the spelling of the name: admiral.
Amyrayl A variation in the spelling of the name: admiral.
Amyrel A variation in the spelling of the name: admiral.
Amyrelle A variation in the spelling of the name: admiral.
Anchorsmith According to The Sailor's Word-Book, published in 1867 by William Henry Smyth, this was a name for a forger of anchors.
Animalier A folk-art painter primarily of animals.
Apiarian A beekeeper.
Apotecary A variation in the spelling of the name: apothecary.
Apothecarie A variation in the spelling of the name: apothecary.
Apothecary One who kept a store or shop of nonperishable commodities, spices, drugs, comfits, preserves, etc.
Apothekary A variation in the spelling of the name: apothecary.
Apothicarie A variation in the spelling of the name: apothecary.
Apoticarye A variation in the spelling of the name: apothecary.
Apotiquare A variation in the spelling of the name: apothecary.
Apotiquary A variation in the spelling of the name: apothecary.
Apotycary A variation in the spelling of the name: apothecary.
Apparator A messenger that serves the process of the Spiritual Court. His duty is to cite the offenders to appear; to arrest them; and to execute the sentence or decree of the Judges. [According to A New Law Dictionary, by Giles Jacob, 1744]
Apparitor The servant or attendant of an officer or authority. Also, an officer of a civil court. Also, an officer of an ecclesiatical court. Also, A variation in the spelling of the name: apparator.
Appothecarie A variation in the spelling of the name: apothecary.
Appoticary A variation in the spelling of the name: apothecary.
Apprentice A learner of a craft; one who is bound by legal agreement to serve an employer in the exercise of some handicraft, art, trade, or profession, for a certain number of years, with a view to learn its details and duties, in which the employer is reciprocally bound to instruct him. Also, a barrister-at-law of less than 16 years' standing.
Apprentise A variation in the spelling of the name: apprentice.
Apprentys A variation in the spelling of the name: apprentice.
Approver Bailiffs of Lords in their franchises are called their approvers. Approvers are such as are sent into counties to increase the farms of hundreds, &tc. held by sheriffs. Such persons as have the letting of the King's demesnes in small manors, are called approvers of the King. Sheriffs are called the King's approvers. [According to A New Law Dictionary, by Giles Jacob, 1744]
Aprentys A variation in the spelling of the name: apprentice.
Aproneer One who wears an apron; a shopman or mechanic.
Aproner A variation in the spelling of the name: aproneer.
Apron-man A mechanic.
Apron-rogue A workman, mechanic.
Arbalaster A variation in the spelling of the name: arbalester.
Arbalester A soldier armed with an arbalest, a cross-bowman.
Arbalestier A variation in the spelling of the name: arbalester.
Arbalestrier A variation in the spelling of the name: arbalester.
Arbalister A variation in the spelling of the name: arbalester.
Arbiter One whose opinion or decision is authoritative in a matter of debate; a judge.
Arbitrator Another name for arbiter.
Arbitrer Another name for arbiter.
Arblaster A variation in the spelling of the name: arbalester.
Arblastere A variation in the spelling of the name: arbalester.
Archbishop Archbishop is the chief of the clergy in his province, and is the spiritual secular person. who hath supreme power under the King in all Ecclesiastical causes. [According to A New Law Dictionary, by Giles Jacob, 1744]
Archer One who shoots with bow and arrows esp one who uses them in war; a bowman. The footsoldier who used a regular bow and arrow as his primary weapon was called simply an archer or bowman. The soldier who used the larger longbow was called a longbowman.
Archiater The chief physician, esp. the one appointed to attend a monarch.
Argolet A light-armed horse-soldier; orig a mounted bowman.
Argozin According to The Sailor's Word-Book, published in 1867 by William Henry Smyth, this was a name for one "whose office it was to attend to the shackles of the galley-slaves, over whom he had especial charge."
Ark-wright A builder of wooden chests called 'arks'.
Armerer A variation in the spelling of the name: armourer.
Armiger [Bearing arms, an armour-bearer, in med. L. a squire] An esquire; orig. one who attended a knight to bear his shield, etc.; in later usage, one entitled to bear heraldic arms.
Armorer A variation in the spelling of the name: armourer.
Armourer A maker of armour; in mod. use, a manufacturer of arms. According to The Sailor's Word-Book, published in 1867 by William Henry Smyth, this was a name for a "person appointed by warrant to keep the small arms in complete condition for service. As he is also the ship's blacksmith, a mate is allowed to assist at the forge."
Armurer A variation in the spelling of the name: armourer.
Arowblaster A variation in the spelling of the name: arbalester.
Arraiers Such officers as had the care of the soldiers' armour, and whose business it was to see them duly accoutred. [According to A New Law Dictionary, by Giles Jacob, 1744]
Arrowsmith One who fashioned iron tips to be attached to the fletcher's arrows.
Arsmith One who fabricated objects out of brass and copper. The name is derived from the Anglo-Saxon ar which evolved into the English word "ore".
Artificer One who makes by art or skill; esp one who follows an industrial handicraft; a craftsman. Also a soldier mechanic attached to the ordnance, artillery and engineer service, to be employed in the construction and repair of military materials. Artificers are taken for such that are masters of their arts, or whose calling and imployment doth cosist chiefly of bodily labour. [According to A New Law Dictionary, by Giles Jacob, 1744] It is generally considered that the artificer was a person who invented or fabricated intricate objects, as compared to an assistant to another. According to The Sailor's Word-Book, published in 1867 by William Henry Smyth, this was a name for "one who works by hand in wood or metal; generally termed an idler on board, from his not keeping night-watch, and only appearing on deck duty when the hands are turned up."
Artisan One who practices or cultivates an art; an artist. Also, one who is employed in any of the industrial arts; a mechanic, handicraftsman, artificer. According to The Sailor's Word-Book, published in 1867 by William Henry Smyth, this was a name for ""
Artisane A variation in the spelling of the name: artisan.
Artisant A variation in the spelling of the name: artisan.
Artist One who practices or is skilled in any art. Also, A follower of a manual art; and artificer, mechanic, craftsman, artisan. According to The Sailor's Word-Book, published in 1867 by William Henry Smyth, this was a name "formerly applied to those mariners who were also expert navigators."
Artizan A variation in the spelling of the name: artisan.
Artizen A variation in the spelling of the name: artisan.
Artsman A craftsman, workman, artificer. Also, one skilled in the liberal arts, a scholar. Also, one who practices the fine arts; and artist.
Artsmaster A teacher of art, or of an art or craft. Also, one who is master of an art or craft; a master craftsman, a chief artificer.
Ashman A collector and remover of ashes.
Assaier A variation in the spelling of the name: assayer.
Assaior A variation in the spelling of the name: assayer.
Assaiour A variation in the spelling of the name: assayer.
Assayar A variation in the spelling of the name: assayer.
Assayer One who assays metals. In this case, the word assay refers to: to put to the test.
Assay-master The master of an assay house; an officer appointed to assay coin, gold, and silver plate, etc.
Asseour An officer who superintended the laying of the king's table for dinner.
Assessor One who assesses taxes. One who officially estimates the value of property or income for purposes of taxation.
Assessour A variation in the spelling of the name: assessor.
Assewer An officer who superintended the placing of a banquet on the table, or who himself carried in and arranged the dishes; a sewer.
Assiser A variation in the spelling of the name: assizer.
Assisor A variation in the spelling of the name: assizer.
Assisour A variation in the spelling of the name: assizer.
Assistant-surgeon According to The Sailor's Word-Book, published in 1867 by William Henry Smyth, this was a name for "those formerly called 'surgeon's mates', and considered a boon by the corps."
Assizer An officer who had charge of the Assize of Weights and Measures, or who fixed the Assize of Bread and Ale, or of other articles of consumption.
Assizor A variation in the spelling of the name: assizer.
Assuror According to The Sailor's Word-Book, published in 1867 by William Henry Smyth, this was a name for "he who makes out the policy of assurance for a ship; he is not answerable for the neglect of the master or seamen."
Assyser A variation in the spelling of the name: assizer.
Astrologaster A variation in the spelling of the name: astrologer.
Astrologer An observer of the stars, a practical astronomer. Also, one who professes astrology in the modern sense; who pretends to judge of the influence of the stars upon human affairs.
Asyser A variation in the spelling of the name: assizer.
Attorney Attorney is he that is appointed by another man to do any thing in his absence. [According to A New Law Dictionary, by Giles Jacob, 1744]
Attornies-at-law Attornies-at-law are those persons as take upon them the business of other men, by whom they are retained. [According to A New Law Dictionary, by Giles Jacob, 1744]
Auctionarii Sellers, regrators, or retailers. But more properly brokers. [According to A New Law Dictionary, by Giles Jacob, 1744]
Auctor The person who warrants the right of possession; hence, a seller, vendor.
Auditor Auditor is an officer of the King, or some other great person, who examines yearly the accounts of all Under-Officers, and makes up a General Book, which shews the difference between their receipts and charge, and their several allowances, commonly called allocations. [According to A New Law Dictionary, by Giles Jacob, 1744]
Auditor Of The Imprest According to The Sailor's Word-Book, published in 1867 by William Henry Smyth, this was a name for an officer "who had the charge of the great accounts of the royal customs, naval and military expenses, etc."
Aulnager A variation in the spelling of the name: alnager.
Aulnageor A variation in the spelling of the name: alnager.
Aulnageour A variation in the spelling of the name: alnager.
Aulneger A variation in the spelling of the name: alnager.
Aumoner A variation in the spelling of the name: almoner.
Aurifex A worker in gold, a goldsmith. Many sites give this name as Aurifer, or Aurifaber, but neither of those forms appear in the OED.
Avener A chief officer of the stable, who had charge of the provendor of the horses. Avenor is an officer belonging to the King's stables, that provides oats for his horses. [According to A New Law Dictionary, by Giles Jacob, 1744] The name, given as Avenator in many sites, is listed as a "hay merchant"; but it does not appear in the OED.
Avenor A variation in the spelling of the name: avener.
Avocat A variation in the spelling of the name: advocate.
Avoket A variation in the spelling of the name: advocate.
Avoue A variation in the spelling of the name: advowee.
Avowe A variation in the spelling of the name: advowee.
Avowee A variation in the spelling of the name: advowee.
Avowry This word is commonly included in lists of occupations in error. This word means: the advowsonor patronage of a benefice. It does not refer to an occupation, per se.
Awblaster A variation in the spelling of the name: arbalester.
Axeman One who uses an axe in his work; a woodsman. Also, a warrior armed with a battle-axe.
Axman A variation in the spelling of the name: axeman.