Occupations
      Of Our Colonial Ancestors

Occupations Beginning With The Letter   ~   C

Cab-Boy A boy in livery who attends his master when driving to hold the horse, etc. The word "cab" denoted: a shortened form of Cabriolet, applied not only to the original vehicle so named and its improved successor the 'hansom', but also to four-wheeled carriages shaped like broughams; thus a public carriage with to or four wheels, drawn by one horse, and seating two or four persons, of which various types are used in different towns.
Cabinet-maker One whose business it is to make cabinets. According to Edwin Tunis in his book, Colonial Craftsmen, the occupation of cabinetmaker grew out of that of joiner. The products of the cabinetmaker included all sorts of furniture which required being joined together. Many cabinetmakers had their own lathes, on which they would turn chair and table legs. Some, though, had such special work performed by another craftsman known as a turner.
Cabman A man whose occupation is to drive a public cab.
Cab-Runner One who makes a living by calling cabs. A variation in the spelling of the name: this occupation was Cab-tout.
Cab-tout A variation in the spelling of the name: a cab-runner.
Cacchepol A variation in the spelling of the name: catchpole.
Cachepol A variation in the spelling of the name: catchpole.
Cachepoll A variation in the spelling of the name: catchpole.
Cachepolus An inferior bailiff. [According to A New Law Dictionary, by Giles Jacob, 1744]
Cacherelius A variation in the spelling of the name: cachepolus.
Caddee A variation in the spelling of the name: caddie.
Caddie A lad or man who waits about on the lookout for chance employment as a messenger, errand-boy, errand-porter, chair-man, odd-job-man, etc.
Caddy A variation in the spelling of the name: caddie.
Cadger A carrier: esp. a species of itinerant dealer who travels with a horse and cart (or formerly with a pack-horse), collecting butter, eggs, poultry, etc., from remote country farms, for disposal in the town, and at the same time supplying the rural districts with small wares from the shops. Also, an itinerant dealer, a hawker, a street-seller.
Cadie A variation in the spelling of the name: caddie.
Caduceater A herald or messenger.
Cady A variation in the spelling of the name: caddie.
Caeccepol A variation in the spelling of the name: catchpole.
Caepmon A variation in the spelling of the name: chapman.
Cahchpolle A variation in the spelling of the name: catchpole.
Caird Artificer in metal, tinker, blackguard. Also, a travelling tinker; a gypsy, tramp, vagrant.
Cairdman Caird.
Camerist Chamber-woman, lady's maid.
Camerlingo A chamberlain or treasurer.
Camister A clergyman, a minister.
Campaner A person who produced bells. Although the name "Campaner" does not appear in the OED, the name Campanarian is noted as a bell-founder, bell-maker.
Cancellarian Of, or of the nature of, a chancellor. Despite the fact that a number of websites have cited this word (or rather, the word cancellarius) as: A variation in the spelling of the name: "chancellor", it would moreso have been used as an adjective.
Candlemaker One who makes candles of tallow or wax.
Candler One who tests eggs by the light of a candle or an electric bulb.
Candy Butcher According to Everett B. Wilson in his book Early America At Work, published in 1963, this was a sort of pedlar who sold a variety of items, including sandwiches, magazines, cigars, postcards and candy either on a railway train while it was in transit, or at the station.
Caner One who canes. This refers to the adding of cane strips to form chair seats.
Caneurykestrete A maker of candle-wicks. This name comes from Cock Lorel's Bote, a book of anonymous satirical verse published in 1510.
Canonist A professor of, or one skilled in, the canon law. A canon-lawyer.
Canticle According to the 1811 Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue, by Captain Grose, this was a name for a parish clerk.
Capelein A variation in the spelling of the name: chaplain.
Capellan A variation in the spelling of the name: chaplain.
Caper-merchant According to the 1811 Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue, by Captain Grose, this was a name for a dancing master.
Capeteigne A variation in the spelling of the name: captain.
Capitain A variation in the spelling of the name: captain.
Capitaine A variation in the spelling of the name: captain.
Capitan A variation in the spelling of the name: captain.
Capitane A variation in the spelling of the name: captain.
Capitayn A variation in the spelling of the name: captain.
Capitayne A variation in the spelling of the name: captain.
Capitein A variation in the spelling of the name: captain.
Cap-maker A maker of caps and hats.
Capman A cap-maker. Also, a man who inspects the lamps attached to miners' caps.
Cappar A variation in the spelling of the name: capper.
Cappelnytter A maker of caps and bonnets. This name comes from Cock Lorel's Bote, a book of anonymous satirical verse published in 1510.
Capper A cap-maker.
Captain A chief or headsman. One who stands at the head of others and leads them, or exercises authority over them; a headman, chief, or leader. Also, A military leader; a commander of a body of troops, of a fortress, castle, etc. Also, the master or commander of a merchant ship or of any kind of vessel.
Captaine A variation in the spelling of the name: captain.
Captan A variation in the spelling of the name: captain.
Captane A variation in the spelling of the name: captain.
Captayn A variation in the spelling of the name: captain.
Captayne A variation in the spelling of the name: captain.
Capteyn A variation in the spelling of the name: captain.
Capytayn A variation in the spelling of the name: captain.
Capytayne A variation in the spelling of the name: captain.
Cardmaker One who fabricated wool carding combs.
Carner A granary keeper.
Carnifex make, making; in ancient L. 'executioner', but in med. L often 'butcher' (the trade).
Carpentarius Obs. as a variant form of carpenter. A wainwright or cartwright, being one who built carts.
Carpenter 'An artificer in wood' as distinguished from a joiner, cabinet-maker, etc., one who does the heavier and stronger work in wood, as the framework of houses, ships, etc.
Carpentour A variation in the spelling of the name: carpenter.
Carpenter, Ship According to The Sailor's Word-Book, published in 1867 by William Henry Smyth, this was a name for a "ship-builder." He was also an officer appointed to examine and keep in order the hull of a ship, and all her appurtenances, likewise the stores committed to him by indenture from the store-keeper of the dockyard.
Carpet-men According to The Sailor's Word-Book, published in 1867 by William Henry Smyth, this was a name for a "officers who, without services or merit, obtain rapid promotion through political or other interest, and are yet declared 'highly meritorious and distinguished'."
Carpynter A variation in the spelling of the name: carpenter.
Carper One who prepares teasels. The prickly head of the teasel plant (Dipsacus sativus) was used by the fuller to produce a napped surface on wool and other fabrics. The Carper prepared the teasel for that use.
Carpinter A variation in the spelling of the name: carpenter.
Carpunter A variation in the spelling of the name: carpenter.
Carpytmaker The maker of a thin table covering called a carpet which made the use of quills to write on parchment easier than on a hard wooden surface. This name comes from Cock Lorel's Bote, a book of anonymous satirical verse published in 1510.
Carter One who drives a cart. According to some websites, this was a maker of carts.
Cartwright A carpenter who makes carts.
Castelain A variation in the spelling of the name: castellain.
Castelan A variation in the spelling of the name: castellain.
Castelane A variation in the spelling of the name: castellain.
Castellain The Lord Owner, or captain of a castle, and sometimes the constable of a fortified house. [According to A New Law Dictionary, by Giles Jacob, 1744] The governor or constable of a castle.
Castellaine A variation in the spelling of the name: castellain.
Castellan A variation in the spelling of the name: castellain.
Castellane A variation in the spelling of the name: castellain.
Castelleyn A variation in the spelling of the name: castellain.
Castellin A variation in the spelling of the name: castellain.
Castelyn A variation in the spelling of the name: castellain.
Caster One who casts metal, a founder. Also One employed in shoveling or 'casting' coals from the keels into the ship (on the Wear).
Castrator One who castrates. In this case the word castrates refers to: to remove the testicles of; to geld, emasculate.
Catch-club According to the 1811 Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue, by Captain Grose, this was another name for a bum-bailiff.
Catchepol A variation in the spelling of the name: catchpole.
Catchepole A variation in the spelling of the name: catchpole.
Catchepolle A variation in the spelling of the name: catchpole.
Catch-fart According to the 1811 Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue, by Captain Grose, this was a name for a footboy.
Catchipolle A variation in the spelling of the name: catchpole.
Catchpol A variation in the spelling of the name: catchpole.
Catchpole A tax-gatherer, an exactor of taxes or imposts. Also, a petty officer of justice; a sheriff's officer or sergeant, esp. a warrant officer who arrests for debt, a bum-bailiff. According to Charles Earle in his book, 2107 Curious Word Origins, Sayings & Expressions From White Elephants To A Song & Dance, 1948-1993, this name derives from cassa pullum meaning "fowl catcher". Since the fowls caught were for the purpose of paying taxes, the name eventually was applied to a tax collector or bailiff.
Catchpoll A variation in the spelling of the name: catchpole.
Catchpolle A variation in the spelling of the name: catchpole.
Catchpool A variation in the spelling of the name: catchpole.
Catchpoule A variation in the spelling of the name: catchpole.
Cattle-duffer A cattle rustler.
Caterer According to The Sailor's Word-Book, published in 1867 by William Henry Smyth, this was a name for a "purveyor and provider of provisions: now used for the person who takes charge of and regulates the economy of a mess."
Cattle-king An owner or rearer of cattle on a large scale.
Cattle-man A man who attends to cattle; a rearer of cattle on a ranch or run.
Cattle-puncher A cow-puncher, a cow-driver.
Cat-whipper According to Edwin Tunis, in his book, Colonial Craftsmen, a cat-whipper was a cordwainer who was both, a shoemaker and a cobbler.
Caudie A variation in the spelling of the name: caddie.
Caulker One whose work it is to caulk ships. This is a name from the age of sailing. The caulker filled in cracks.
Cawdie A variation in the spelling of the name: caddie.
Ceapman A variation in the spelling of the name: chapman.
Celerer A variation in the spelling of the name: cellarer.
Celerere A variation in the spelling of the name: cellarer.
Cellarer The officer in a monastery, or similar establishment, who had charge of the cellar and provisions.
Cellarist He who keeps the cellar or buttery; the butler in a religious house or monastery.
Cellarman A man who has charge of a cellar.
Cellerarius The butler in a monastery: in the universities they are sometimes called Manciple, and sometimes Caterer, and Steward. [According to A New Law Dictionary, by Giles Jacob, 1744]
Cell-keeper A cellar-keeper or cellarer.
Censarii Farmers [According to A New Law Dictionary, by Giles Jacob, 1744]
Cepeman A variation in the spelling of the name: chapman.
Ceramist One skilled in making pottery; a ceramic artist.
Cervawnte A variation in the spelling of the name: servant.
Cesser A variation in the spelling of the name: cessor.
Cessor One who determines the amount of a cess; assessor. In this case the word cess refers to: an assessment, tax, or levy; in various spec.applications.
Cexteyne A variation in the spelling of the name: sexton.
Chafewax An officer in Chancery, that fitteth the wax for sealing of the writs, and such other instruments as are there made to be issued out. [According to A New Law Dictionary, by Giles Jacob, 1744]
Chaff-cutter One who cuts chaff.
Chafferer One who chaffers; a dealer, bargainer. In this case the word chaffers refers to: buying and selling.
Chair Bodger The maker of legs and stretchers for the traditional country chair known as the Windsor according to John Seymour in his book, The Forgotten Crafts.
Chaisemaker One who constructed carriages. The "chaise" was constructed primarily of wood, and so the chaisemaker would have had to be skilled in cabinetry.
Chaise-undertaker One who undertakes to renovate chaises, a dealer in second-hand chaises.
Chaise-vamper A chaise-undertaker.
Chalmerlain A variation in the spelling of the name: chamberlain.
Chalmerlane A variation in the spelling of the name: chamberlain.
Chaloner A maker of chalons. The OED notes that the name chalon denoted a blanket or coverlet for a bed. According to many websites, it is believed that chalons, variously, shalloons, was a material of tightly woven wool that was generally used for the lining of coats.
Chambarlayn A variation in the spelling of the name: chamberlain.
Chamberer A chambermaid. [UEED]
Chamberlain A chamber attendant of a Lord or King, one who waits on him in his bedchamber. Also, a woman attending on a lady in her bedchamber. Also, an officer charged with the management of the private chambers of a sovereign or nobleman. Frances and Joseph Gies, in their book Life In A Medieval Castle, noted that the chamberlain who started out as a servant in charge only of the great chamber eventually became the treasurer of the household.
Chamberlaine A variation in the spelling of the name: chamberlain.
Chamberlain Of The Exchequer Officer who had the controlment of the pells of receipts and payments, and kept certain keys of the treasury and records. [UEED]
Chamberlain Of An Inn One who takes care of the beds and lodging rooms of travellers. [UEED]
Chamberlein A variation in the spelling of the name: chamberlain.
Chamberleyn A variation in the spelling of the name: chamberlain.
Chamberleyne A variation in the spelling of the name: chamberlain.
Chamberlin A variation in the spelling of the name: chamberlain.
Chambermaid A female servant in a house or inn, who attends to the bedrooms. Also, a lady's maid.
Chamber-master A name given in the shoemaking trade, to a shoemaker who works in his own house, executing contracts for the shops, or disposing of the produce of his work to them. Also, a furrier who obtains skins from the wholesale trader and makes them up at home or on his own premises.
Chambrelayne A variation in the spelling of the name: chamberlain.
Chambyrleyn A variation in the spelling of the name: chamberlain.
Chammerlayne A variation in the spelling of the name: chamberlain.
Chancellor General sense of secretary, official secretary of the king of England. An officer of the highest dignity and power, where he resides. [UEED]
Chandler One whose trade is to make or sell candles.
Chapelayn A variation in the spelling of the name: chaplain.
Chapelen A variation in the spelling of the name: chaplain.
Chapeler A hat-maker.
Chapeleyn A variation in the spelling of the name: chaplain.
Chapeleyne A variation in the spelling of the name: chaplain.
Chapelyn A variation in the spelling of the name: chaplain.
Chaplain The priest, clergyman or minister of a chapel; in ME a chantry priest. According to James McDonald in his book, Wordly Wise, the Latin word capella (little cloak) was the source of the French name chapelle which was used to describe the building in which the remnants of St. Martin's cloak were kept. Chapelle, in turn became the English chapel, and the individual who officiated there became a chaplain.
Chaplaine A variation in the spelling of the name: chaplain.
Chaplan A variation in the spelling of the name: chaplain.
Chaplein A variation in the spelling of the name: chaplain.
Chapleine A variation in the spelling of the name: chaplain.
Chaplen A variation in the spelling of the name: chaplain.
Chaplin A variation in the spelling of the name: chaplain.
Chapline A variation in the spelling of the name: chaplain.
Chapman A man whose business is buying and selling; a merchant, trader, dealer.
Chapmon A variation in the spelling of the name: chapman.
Chappelane A variation in the spelling of the name: chaplain.
Chappelayn A variation in the spelling of the name: chaplain.
Chappelayne A variation in the spelling of the name: chaplain.
Chapplein A variation in the spelling of the name: chaplain.
Chappmann A variation in the spelling of the name: chapman.
Chapyllayne A variation in the spelling of the name: chaplain.
Char Short for charwoman.
Charcoaler A charcoal-burner or -seller.
Charcutier A pork-butcher; a preparer or vendor of charcuterie. In this case the word charcuterie refers to: cold cuts of meat.
Charet-man A charioteer.
Chareter he driver of a 'charet'; a charioteer.
Chariatour A variation in the spelling of the name: charioteer.
Charietere A variation in the spelling of the name: charioteer.
Charioteer The driver of a chariot or car. Also, to act as a charioteer; to guide or manage a chariot or car; to drive. In this case the word chariot refers to: a wheeled vehicle, coach, or conveyance; a vehicle for the conveyance of goods; a cart or wagon.
Charioter A variation in the spelling of the name: charioteer.
Charley-pitcher A thimble-rigger.
Charwoman A woman hired by the day to do odd jobs of household work. According to Charles Earle in his book, 2107 Curious Word Origins, Sayings & Expressions From White Elephants To A Song & Dance, 1948-1993, this name comes from the word chare which meant the same as the word chore, and pertained to small tasks involved in household labor.
Charpentier A variation in the spelling of the name: carpenter.
Charyeter A variation in the spelling of the name: charioteer.
Charyetter A variation in the spelling of the name: charioteer.
Chaser One who chases or engraves metal.
Chatelaine A female castellan; the mistress of a castle or country house. Also, the mistress of a household.
Chaumberlaine A variation in the spelling of the name: chamberlain.
Chaumberlayn A variation in the spelling of the name: chamberlain.
Chaumberlayne A variation in the spelling of the name: chamberlain.
Chaumberlein A variation in the spelling of the name: chamberlain.
Chaumberling A variation in the spelling of the name: chamberlain.
Chaumburleyn A variation in the spelling of the name: chamberlain.
Chawmbyrleyne A variation in the spelling of the name: chamberlain.
Cheesemonger According to Everett B. Wilson in his book Early America At Work, published in 1963, this was a peddler who dealt in cheese.
Chepherd A variation in the spelling of the name: shepherd.
Chepman A variation in the spelling of the name: chapman.
Chepmon A variation in the spelling of the name: chapman.
Chester One who puts a corpse into a coffin.
Chesterman A guard.
Chicken-butcher According to the 1811 Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue, by Captain Grose, this was a name for a poulterer.
Chief Mate According to The Sailor's Word-Book, published in 1867 by William Henry Smyth, this was a name for "the next to a commander in a merchantman, and who, in the absence of the latter, acts as his deputy."
Chiffonier A rag-picker; a collector of scraps.
Chimney-cleaner A chimney sweeper.
Chimney-doctor One who cures smoking chimneys.
Chimney-man The collector of chimney-money. In this case the phrase chimney-money refers to: a tax of two shillings per annum on every fire-hearth in England and Wales.
Chimney-publican A farmer of chimney-money. In this case the phrase chimney-money refers to: a tax of two shillings per annum on every fire-hearth in England and Wales.
Chimney-sweep Another name for chimney-sweeper.
Chimney-sweeper One whose business it is to sweep chimneys, in order to remove the soot.
Chimney-viewer According to Everett B. Wilson in his book Early America At Work, published in 1963, this was one who inspected chimneys for the need to be cleaned of soot.
Chips According to the 1811 Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue, by Captain Grose, this was a nickname for a carpenter.
Chiropodist One who treats diseases of the hands and feet; now usually restricted to one who treats corns and bunions.
Chirurgeon One whose profession is to cure bodily diseases and injuries by manual operation; a surgeon.
Chowder A variation in the spelling of the name: jowter.
Chowter A variation in the spelling of the name: jowter.
Chuck-farthing According to the 1811 Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue, by Captain Grose, this was a name for a parish clerk.
Church-Reeve Is the same with Church-Warden, the guardian or overseer of the Church. [According to A New Law Dictionary, by Giles Jacob, 1744]
Churl According to the 1811 Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue, by Captain Grose, this was a name for a labourer or a husbandman.
Cinder-garbler According to the 1811 Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue, by Captain Grose, this was a name for a servant maid who sifts ashes from the cinders.
Cinder-sifter One who sifts cinders.
Cinder-wench A female whose occupation it is to rake cinders from among ashes.
Cing A variation in the spelling of the name: king.
Cining A variation in the spelling of the name: king.
Circuiteer A judge or barrister in circuit.
Circuiter A variation in the spelling of the name: circuiteer.
Circuit-rider According to Everett B. Wilson in his book Early America At Work, published in 1963, the circuit rider was a judge who travelled about on horseback from one county to another providing his services where necessary.
Cissor A tailor.
Clarcke A variation in the spelling of the name: clerk.
Clarigarius Armozum An herald at arms. [According to A New Law Dictionary, by Giles Jacob, 1744]
Clark obs. clerk. Other variations of the name for clerk are given in the OED as: Clarke, Clarcke, Cleark, Clearke, Clerke, Klerke. Also, a scribe.
Clarke A variation in the spelling of the name: clerk.
Classiarius A seaman or soldier serving at sea. [According to A New Law Dictionary, by Giles Jacob, 1744]
Claviger One who carries a key, a key-keeper.
Clavigeratus A treasurer of a church. [According to A New Law Dictionary, by Giles Jacob, 1744]
Cleark A variation in the spelling of the name: clerk.
Clearke A variation in the spelling of the name: clerk.
Cleaver One who cleaves or splits (wood, etc.).
Glergy-feme A clergyman's wife or woman.
Clergyman A man of the clerical order; an ordained minister of the Christian Church; onw in holy orders.
Clergywoman A woman belonging to a religious order; a nun; a pristess. Also, a clergyman's wife or other female relative. Also, a woman acting as pastor of a congregation or as a minister of religion.
Cleric A clerical man, a clergyman. According to James McDonald in his book, Wordly Wise, the name cleric comes from the Greek kleros (a lot or inheritance), the same word from which the name clergy is derived. Out of cleric came the word clerk.
Clerk There are a number of descriptions for this name. A man ordained to the ministry or service of the Christian Church; a churchman, clergyman, or ecclesiastic. Also A man (or woman) of book learning, one able to read and write; a scholar. Also, In early times, when writing was not an ordinary accomplishment of the laity, the offices of writer, scribe, secretary, keeper of accounts, and the transaction of all business involving writing, were discharged by clerks. It has also been suggested, in sources other than the OED, that this name applied to a man who assisted a judge in legal proceedings or a town official responsible for maintaining its records.
Clerke A variation in the spelling of the name: clerk.
Clerk Of The Cheque According to The Sailor's Word-Book, published in 1867 by William Henry Smyth, this was a name for an "officer in the royal dockyards, who goes on board to muster the ship's company, of whom he keeps a register, thereby to check false musters, the penalty of which is cashiering."
Clerk Of The Court Of Quarter Sessions According to the County Government And Archives In Pennsylvania, published by the Pennsylvania Historical And Museum Commission in 1947, the Clerk of the Court of Quarter Sessions was "clerk of the criminal courts, but he must also perform duties relative to the miscellaneous civil jurisdiction vested in the court of quarter sessions. The clerk has custody of the records and seal of the court and performs all duties appertaining to his office under the direction of the court. He signs and affixes the seal of the court to all writs and processes of the court and to all exemplifications of them." The Clerk of the Court of Quarter Sessions also "issues writs commanding the impaneling and summoning of jurers."
Clerk Of The Orphans Court According to the County Government And Archives In Pennsylvania, published by the Pennsylvania Historical And Museum Commission in 1947, the Clerk of the Orphans Court has "custody of the records and seal of the orphan's court. Most of the duties of the clerk of orphans' court are concerned with the keeping of records." In addition, "the clerk of orphans' court issues marriage licenses."
Clicker A foreman shoemaker who cuts out the leather for boots and shoes, and gives it out to the workmen. Also, a workman who cuts out (parts of) the uppers of boots and shoes. Also, in printing the foreman of a companionship or compositors who distributes the 'copy' among the others, and attends to the paging, placing of head-lines, and the like; he also keeps an account of what each sets up, and makes up the bill. According to the 1811 Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue, by Captain Grose, this was a name for a salesman's servant.
Clinkerer One who removes clinker and ashes from producer gas furnace with a long bar.
Clock-keeper One who attends to and regulates a clock.
Clock-maker One who makes and repairs clocks.
Clockmaster A clock-keeper.
Clockmonger According to Everett B. Wilson in his book Early America At Work, published in 1963, this was a peddler who dealt in clocks.
Clocksmith A clock maker.
Clod-hopper One who walks over ploughed land; a ploughman or agricultural labourer.
Clogger One who makes clogs, or wooden soes for shoes.
Cloisteer A variation in the spelling of the name: cloisterer.
Cloisterer One who dwells in a cloister; a monk or nun.
Cloistrer A variation in the spelling of the name: cloisterer.
Cloistrere A variation in the spelling of the name: cloisterer.
Cloistress A female tenant of a cloister, a nun.
Cloth-drawer A workman who 'draws' or tenters the woollen cloth.
Cloth-dresser A workman who dresses, i.e. teasels and shears woollen cloth.
Cloth-driver One who combs or teasels cloth.
Clothear A variation in the spelling of the name: clothier.
Clother A variation in the spelling of the name: clothier.
Clothesmonger According to Everett B. Wilson in his book Early America At Work, published in 1963, this was a peddler who dealt in clothes.
Cloth-fuller One whose occupation is to full cloth. In this case the word full refers to: to tread or beat (cloth) for purpose of cleansing and thickening it.
Clothier One engaged in the cloth trade: a maker of woolen cloth; esp. one who performs the operations subsequent to the weaving; a fuller and dresser of cloth; a seller of cloth and men's clothing.
Cloth-looker One who examines cloth in order to detect faults arising in manufacture.
Clothman A maker or seller of woollen cloth; a clothier.
Cloth-shearer A cloth-worker, who shears off the superfluous nap on woollen cloth after teaseling.
Cloth-thycker This was another name for a cloth-fuller. The name comes from Cock Lorel's Bote, a book of anonymous satirical verse published in 1510.
Clothworker A maker or manufacturer of woollen cloth.
Clothyar A variation in the spelling of the name: clothier.
Clothyer A variation in the spelling of the name: clothier.
Clown A countryman, rustic, or peasant. Also, a fool or jester.
Cloysterer A variation in the spelling of the name: cloisterer.
Cloystrer A variation in the spelling of the name: cloisterer.
Cnaeht A variation in the spelling of the name: knight.
Cnect A variation in the spelling of the name: knight.
Cneoht A variation in the spelling of the name: knight.
Cnih A variation in the spelling of the name: knight.
Cniht A variation in the spelling of the name: knight.
Coach-currier One who supplies the leather fittings for a coach.
Coach-founder One who makes the ironwork of a coach.
Coach Horser One who 'horses', or provides horses, for stage-coaches.
Coach-horses According to The Sailor's Word-Book, published in 1867 by William Henry Smyth, this was a name for the "crew of the state barge; usually fifteen selected men, to support the captain in any daring exploits."
Coach-joiner One who does the joiner-work of a carriage.
Coachman The man who drives a coach.
Coach-master One who lets coaches or carriages for hire.
Coach-trimmer One who prepares the lace, linings, and other trimmings for carriages.
Coach-woman A woman driving a coach.
Coach-wright A coach builder.
Coadjutor A fellow-heloer or assistant; particularly applied to one appointed to assist a Bishop. [According to A New Law Dictionary, by Giles Jacob, 1744]
Coal-carrier One who carries coal; a coal porter.
Coaler One employed in coaling steam vessels. Also, a tender to a steam-ship.
Coal-factor An intermediate agent between coal owners and customers.
Coal-heaver A labourer who unloaded coals from ships by heaving them from one stage to another; a labourer employed in the moving or carrying of coal.
Coalman A man who has to do with coal; a coal-miner; coal-seller, coal-porter; coal-heaver.
Coal-meter One who measures or weighs coal.
Coalmonger According to Everett B. Wilson in his book Early America At Work, published in 1963, this was a peddler who dealt in coal.
Coal-owner The owner of a colliery. In this case, the word colliery refers to: a place where coal is worked; a coal-mine.
Coal-porter A man who carries coal from a vessel to a wharf, unloads a coal truck at a railway station, or generally carries coal from the place of unloading to customers.
Coal-trimmer According to The Sailor's Word-Book, published in 1867 by William Henry Smyth, this was a name for "one employed in a steamer to stow and trim the fuel."
Coal-viewer A mining engineer who makes coal-mines his special study.
Coal-whipper One who raises coal out of a ship's hold by means of a pulley.
Coaster The master or pilot of a coasting-vessel.
Coast-liner A surveyor whose work is to map a coast-line.
Coast-waiter A custom-house officer who superintends the landing and shipping of goods coastwise.
Coasting-pilot According to The Sailor's Word-Book, published in 1867 by William Henry Smyth, this was a name for a "pilot who has become sufficiently acquainted with the nature of any particular coast, to conduct a ship or fleet from one part of it to another."
Cobbeler A variation in the spelling of the name: cobler.
Cobblar A variation in the spelling of the name: cobler.
Cobbler One whose business is to mend shoes. There is an additional description in the OED: One who mends clumsily, a clumsy workman, a mere botcher. (The cobbler seldom made shoes; that was a skill practiced by the cordwainer.)
Cobeler A variation in the spelling of the name: cobler.
Cobelere A variation in the spelling of the name: cobler.
Cobulare A variation in the spelling of the name: cobler.
Cobyller A variation in the spelling of the name: cobler.
Cock-bawd According to the 1811 Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue, by Captain Grose, this was a name for a a male keeper of a bawdy house.
Cockpitarian According to The Sailor's Word-Book, published in 1867 by William Henry Smyth, this was a name for a "midshipman or master's mate."
Cocksetus According to The Sailor's Word-Book, published in 1867 by William Henry Smyth, this was a name for a "boatman or coxswain."
Cockswain A variation in the spelling of the name: coxswain.
Cocsetus A boatman, cockswain or coxon. [According to A New Law Dictionary, by Giles Jacob, 1744]
Cofferer A treasurer. Also, An officer of the royal household of England, next under the controller; he had the oversight of the other officers. Also, One who makes coffers. in this case the word coffers refers to: a box, chest.
Coffin-cutter A coffin maker.
Cog-man Dealers in such cloth. In this case, cog refers to coarse cloth. [UEED]
Cohen Many websites include the name of "Cohen" as an occupation meaning priest. This is not an occupational name, but rather a surname. The surname Cohen was passed down through the centuries through the descendants of Aaron, who was the first Jewish priest.
Coiner One who coins money; a minter.
Cokswain A variation in the spelling of the name: coxswain.
Collier One whose occupation or trade is to procure or supply coal (formerly charcoal); one engaged in the coal trade. Also A maker of wood charcoal (who also was often the bringer of it to market). Charcoal was produced by slowly heating wood until only the carbon remained. It was not let catch on fire, otherwise it would burn up; rather, it was made to smolder over a long period of time. In Colonial America, the name was applied only to the maker of charcoal.
Colour-sergeant According to The Sailor's Word-Book, published in 1867 by William Henry Smyth, this was a name for a "senior sergeant of a company of infantry."
Colporteur A hawker of books, newspapers, etc. esp. (in English use) one employed by a society to travel about and sell or distribute Bibles and religious writings. This name is derived from the French: col neck + porter to carry.
Cometas A variation in the spelling of the name: countess.
Commandant According to The Sailor's Word-Book, published in 1867 by William Henry Smyth, this was a name for an "officer in command of a squadron, ship, garrison, fort, or regiment."
Commander According to The Sailor's Word-Book, published in 1867 by William Henry Smyth, this was a name for an "officer in the royal navy, commanding a ship of war of under twenty guns, a sloop of war, armed ship, or bomb-vessel."
Commander-In-Chief According to The Sailor's Word-Book, published in 1867 by William Henry Smyth, this was a name for the "senior officer in any port or station appointed to hold command over all other vessels within the limits assigned to him."
Commissary According to The Sailor's Word-Book, published in 1867 by William Henry Smyth, this was a name for the "principal officer in charge of the commissariat."
Commodore According to The Sailor's Word-Book, published in 1867 by William Henry Smyth, this was a name for a "senior officer in command of a detached squadron."
Commoigne A fellow monk, that lives in the convent. [According to A New Law Dictionary, by Giles Jacob, 1744]
Comptroller-Of-The-Customs According to The Sailor's Word-Book, published in 1867 by William Henry Smyth, this was a name for the "officer who controls and has a check on the collector of customs."
Comptroller-of-The-Navy According to The Sailor's Word-Book, published in 1867 by William Henry Smyth, this was a name for the "chief commissioner of the navy board, at which he presided."
Comytiss A variation in the spelling of the name: countess.
Conestable A variation in the spelling of the name: constable.
Confectioner A maker or seller of comfits or sweetmeats. [UEED]
Connestable A variation in the spelling of the name: constable.
Connestabul A variation in the spelling of the name: constable.
Connistable A variation in the spelling of the name: constable.
Consailler A variation in the spelling of the name: counsellor.
Conseiler A variation in the spelling of the name: counsellor.
Conseilere A variation in the spelling of the name: counsellor.
Conseiller A variation in the spelling of the name: counsellor.
Conseillour A variation in the spelling of the name: counsellor.
Conseilour A variation in the spelling of the name: counsellor.
Conseyllour A variation in the spelling of the name: counsellor.
Conseylyr A variation in the spelling of the name: counsellor.
Consiler A variation in the spelling of the name: counsellor.
Constabill A variation in the spelling of the name: constable.
Constable The chief officer of the household, court, administration, or military forces of a ruler.
Constabulle A variation in the spelling of the name: constable.
Constabyle A variation in the spelling of the name: constable.
Constabylle A variation in the spelling of the name: constable.
Constructor One who constructs, makes, or frames; one who designs the construction of a thing; spec. an officer charged with the supervision of construction for the navy.
Consul According to The Sailor's Word-Book, published in 1867 by William Henry Smyth, this was a name for an "officer established by a commission from the crown, in all foreign countries of any considerable trade, to facilitate busines, and represent the merchants of his nation."
Contas A variation in the spelling of the name: countess.
Contasse A variation in the spelling of the name: countess.
Contesse A variation in the spelling of the name: countess.
Controller According to The Sailor's Word-Book, published in 1867 by William Henry Smyth, this "differs from comptroller, which applies chiefly to the duties of an accompt. but the controller of the namvy controls naval matters in ship-building, fitting, &c."
Conveyancer A lawyer who prepares documents for the conveyance of property, and investigates titles to property.
Cool-lady According to the 1811 Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue, by Captain Grose, this was a name for a female follower of the camp who sells brandy.
Cooper A craftsman who makes and repairs wooden vessels formed of staves and hoops as casks, buckets, tubs. Variant spellings included: cuper, cowper, kuper.
Coper One who 'copes'; a dealer, chapman. Often in comb., as horse-, herring-, salmon-.
Copeman A chapman, merchant, dealer.
Copemaster A copeman.
Copesman A variation in the spelling of the name: copeman.
Coppersmith An artificer in copper; one who manufactures copper utensils.
Coppice Keeper One who takes care of a 'coppice', a small wooded tract of small trees for the purpose of periodic cutting.
Cordiner A shoemaker. [According to A New Law Dictionary, by Giles Jacob, 1744]
Cordonar This is an ancient variation of the name, cordwainer.
Corduvanarius A shoemaker. [According to A New Law Dictionary, by Giles Jacob, 1744]
Cordwainer A worker in cordwain or cordovan leather; a shoemaker. .
Coriar A variation in the spelling of the name: currier.
Corier A variation in the spelling of the name: currier.
Coriour A variation in the spelling of the name: currier.
Corn-badger A dealer in corn.
Corn-chandler A retail dealer in corn and allied products.
Corn-cutter One who cuts corns on the feet, a chiropodist.
Corn-dealer One who buys and sells corn.
Cornet According to The Sailor's Word-Book, published in 1867 by William Henry Smyth, this was a name for a "commissioned officer who carries the colours belonging to a cavalry troop, equivalent to an ensign in the infantry; the junior subaltern rank in the horse."
Cornfactor A dealer in corn or grain; a corn-merchant.
Corn-grinder One who grinds corn.
Corn-man A labourer employed in the reaping or carrying of corn.
Corn-merchant A dealer in corn.
Corn-meter One who superintends the measuring of corn sold or distributed.
Corn-monger A corn-dealer.
Coroner An officer of a county, district, or municipality (formerly also of the royal household), originally charged with maintaining the rights of the private property of the crown; in modern times his chief function is to hold inquest on the bodies of those supposed to have died by violence or accident. According to the County Government And Archives In Pennsylvania, published by the Pennsylvania Historical And Museum Commission in 1947, "the coroner's chief duty is to investigate all sudden, mysterious, or violent deaths pccuring within the county." "The coroner acts as sheriff in case of a vacancy in that office, holding office until a new sheriff is legally commissioned and notice of that fact is given to the coroner."
Correher A variation in the spelling of the name: currier.
Corrier A variation in the spelling of the name: currier.
Corsetier A corset maker (male and female).
Corsetiere A variation in the spelling of the name: corsetier.
Costardemonger A variation in the spelling of the name: costardmonger.
Costard-jagger A pedlar, costermonger.
Costardmonger A seller of apples, a fruiterer. [UEEG]
Coryar A variation in the spelling of the name: currier.
Coryer A variation in the spelling of the name: currier.
Coryour A variation in the spelling of the name: currier.
Coryowre A variation in the spelling of the name: currier.
Costerdemonger A variation in the spelling of the name: costermonger. This name comes from Cock Lorel's Bote, a book of anonymous satirical verse published in 1510.
Costermonger An apple-seller, a fruiterer; esp. one that sold his fruit in the open street. This is another name for hawker.
Coster-wife A woman that keeps a stall for the sale of apples, and the like, an 'apple-wife'.
Cosyer A cobbler.
Cotel A variation in the spelling of the name: a cutler.
Cotelar A variation in the spelling of the name: a cutler.
Coteler A variation in the spelling of the name: a cutler.
Cotelere A variation in the spelling of the name: a cutler.
Cotiler A variation in the spelling of the name: a cutler.
Cottager A cottar.
Cottar A villein who occupied a cot or cottage with an attached piece of land (usually 5 acres) held by service of labour (with or without payment in produce or money). In this case, the word villein refers to: one of the class of serfs in the feudal system; spec. a peasant occupier or cultivator entirely subject to a lord.
Cotteler A variation in the spelling of the name: a cutler.
Cotter A variation in the spelling of the name: cottar.
Cottoneer A cotton-manufacturer or worker; a cotton-spinner.
Cotton Picker One who picks cotton from the bolls of the plant.
Coucher The workman who lays the sheet of pulp on the felt to be pressed (in making hand-made paper).
Counceileer A variation in the spelling of the name: counsellor.
Counceiler A variation in the spelling of the name: counsellor.
Counceilour A variation in the spelling of the name: counsellor.
Counceler A variation in the spelling of the name: counsellor.
Counceller A variation in the spelling of the name: counsellor.
Councellour A variation in the spelling of the name: counsellor.
Councelour A variation in the spelling of the name: counsellor.
Counsailer A variation in the spelling of the name: counsellor.
Counsailor A variation in the spelling of the name: counsellor.
Counsayler A variation in the spelling of the name: counsellor.
Counsaylour A variation in the spelling of the name: counsellor.
Counseiller A variation in the spelling of the name: counsellor.
Counseillor A variation in the spelling of the name: counsellor.
Counseillour A variation in the spelling of the name: counsellor.
Counseilor A variation in the spelling of the name: counsellor.
Counsellar A variation in the spelling of the name: counsellor.
Counseller A variation in the spelling of the name: counsellor.
Counsellere A variation in the spelling of the name: counsellor.
Counsellor One who counsels or advises; an adviser.
Counsellour A variation in the spelling of the name: counsellor.
Counseyllour A variation in the spelling of the name: counsellor.
Counseylor A variation in the spelling of the name: counsellor.
Counsulere A variation in the spelling of the name: counsellor.
Countas A variation in the spelling of the name: countess.
Countes A variation in the spelling of the name: countess.
Countese A variation in the spelling of the name: countess.
Countess The feminine of count. The wife or widow of a count. Also, in the peerage of Great Britain and Ireland, the wife or widow of an earl. Also, a lady holding a position in her own right equal to that of a count or earl.
Countesse A variation in the spelling of the name: countess.
Countour An accountant; and officer who appears to have assisted in early times in collecting or auditing the county dues. Also, an ancient term for a legal pleader, or serjeant-at-law.
Country-Harry According to the 1811 Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue, by Captain Grose, this was a name for a waggoner.
Countryman One who lives in the country or rural parts and follows a rural occupation; a husbandman.
Coupar A variation in the spelling of the name: cooper.
Couper A variation in the spelling of the name: cooper.
Couranteer A newspaper writer, journalist. Also, a pamphleteer.
Coureour A variation in the spelling of the name: currier.
Coureur de bois A woodsman, hunter, trader, etc., of French or French-Indian origin.
Courier An express messenger of haste. [According to A New Law Dictionary, by Giles Jacob, 1744]
Courrar A variation in the spelling of the name: currier.
Courteer The driver of a cart called a 'court'. A variation in the spelling of the name: courtier.
Court-holder One who holds or presides at a court.
Courtier One who frequents the court of a sovereign; an attendant at court. Also, the driver of a cart called a 'court'.
Court-keeper A court-holder.
Court-marshal The marshal of a prince's household.
Court-marshaless The wife of a court-marshal.
Court-martialist A soldier belonging to the Court.
Court-newsman A person appointed to furnish news of the doing of the Court.
Cowherd One whose occupation is to tend cows at pasture.
Cowherdess A female cowherd; a cowherd's wife.
Cownsaylour A variation in the spelling of the name: counsellor.
Cownselour A variation in the spelling of the name: counsellor.
Cowpare A variation in the spelling of the name: cooper.
Cowper A variation in the spelling of the name: cooper.
Cowntasse A variation in the spelling of the name: countess.
Cowntyse A variation in the spelling of the name: countess.
Cox Abbreviation of coxswain.
Coxen A variation in the spelling of the name: coxswain.
Coxon A variation in the spelling of the name: coxswain.
Coxswain The helmsman of a boat; the person on board ship having permanent charge of a boat and its crew, of which he has command unless a superior officer is present. According to Charles Earle in his book, 2107 Curious Word Origins, Sayings & Expressions From White Elephants To A Song & Dance, 1948-1993, this name is derived from the swain or attendant, who rowed a small rowboat known as a cock. The primary duty of the coxswain was to row the small boat to take the captain of a larger ship to and from the shore.
Cozier A cobbler.
Craftesman A variation in the spelling of the name: craftsman.
Craftesmaster A variation in the spelling of the name: craftsmaster.
Craftiesman A variation in the spelling of the name: craftsman.
Craftiman One who pursues a handicraft; a craftsman. Also, artificer.
Craftiseman A variation in the spelling of the name: craftsman.
Craftisman A variation in the spelling of the name: craftsman.
Craftmaister A variation in the spelling of the name: craftsmaster.
Crafts-child A craftsman's apprentice of lad.
Craftsmaister A variation in the spelling of the name: craftsmaster.
Craftsman A man who practices a handicraft; an artificer, artisan. Also, a maker, artificer, inventor, contriver. Also, artist.
Craftsmaster One who is master of his craft; usually transf. one skilled or proficient in a (specified) practice or occupation, an adept.
Craftusman A variation in the spelling of the name: craftsman.
Craftysman A variation in the spelling of the name: craftsman.
Crayman One who drives a cart.
Crier One appointed in a town or community to make public announcements; a common or town crier. Also, an officer in a court of justice who makes the public announcements, acts as preserver of order, etc.
Crimper A hairdresser. Also, one who crimps (seamen). In this case the words crimps refers to: to impress; to entrap, to decoy.
Crispin According to the 1811 Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue, by Captain Grose, this was a name for a shoemaker.
Crocker A potter. One who created pottery by turning them on a wheel.
Crofter One who rents and cultivates a croft or small holding; esp. in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, one of the joint tenants of a divided farm (who often combines the tillage of a small croft with fishing or other vocation).
Cropper One who or that which crops. spec. a shearing machine in iron and steel work; also the workman who operates it.
Crowner A variation in the spelling of the name: a coroner. This name was popularized by William Shakespeare in his play, "Hamlet". Now only dialectal, or with allusion to the passage in Hamlet.
Cucumber According to the 1811 Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue, by Captain Grose, this was a jocular name for a tailor, who were claimed to subsist, during the summer, chiefly on cucumbers.
Cuille A variation in the spelling of the name: gillie.
Culler One who culls, selects, or gathers. One who gelds (i.e. castrates) male animals.
Cullyer A variation in the spelling of the name: culler.
Culyur A variation in the spelling of the name: culler.
Cunestable A variation in the spelling of the name: constable.
Cunistable A variation in the spelling of the name: constable.
Cunstable A variation in the spelling of the name: constable.
Cuntas A variation in the spelling of the name: countess.
Cuntass A variation in the spelling of the name: countess.
Cuntasse A variation in the spelling of the name: countess.
Cuntesse A variation in the spelling of the name: countess.
Cuper A variation in the spelling of the name: cooper.
Curer One who or that which cures or heals. Also, one whose employment it is to cure fish, etc.
Curiour A variation in the spelling of the name: currier.
Currer A variation in the spelling of the name: currier.
Curreter A broker.
Curretter A variation in the spelling of the name: curreter.
Currier One whose trade is the dressing and colouring of leather after it is tanned. Also, one who curries horses. The currier was a specialized leather tanner. He used certain techniques for dressing and coloring the tanned hide to make is especially flexible and waterproof. Another use of the name was for a man who groomed horses; the name being derived from the use of a "curry" comb.
Curriour A variation in the spelling of the name: currier.
Curryar A variation in the spelling of the name: currier.
Curryour A variation in the spelling of the name: currier.
Cursor A runner, running messenger.
Custom-house Agent According to The Sailor's Word-Book, published in 1867 by William Henry Smyth, this was a name for "he who transacts the relative business of passing goods, as to the entries required for the ship's clearance."
Custom-house Officers According to The Sailor's Word-Book, published in 1867 by William Henry Smyth, this was a name for "all the officials employed in enforcing the customs."
Customer An official who collects customs or dues; a custom-house officer.
Cutlar A variation in the spelling of the name: a cutler.
Cutler One who makes, deals in, or repairs knives and similar cutting utensils. The cutler primarily fabricated swords and knives which required a strong, unbrittle edge. Essentially, the cutler was a specialized blacksmith who worked with steel rather than iron. (Steel is actually a form of iron with a reduced percentage of carbon, making it more rustproof and stronger than iron.)
Cutleress A female cutler.
Cutler-woman A female cutler.
Cwaen A variation in the spelling of the name: queen.
Cween A variation in the spelling of the name: queen.
Cwen A variation in the spelling of the name: queen.
Cwene A variation in the spelling of the name: queen.
Cwoen A variation in the spelling of the name: queen.
Cyng A variation in the spelling of the name: king.
Cynincg A variation in the spelling of the name: king.
Cyning A variation in the spelling of the name: king.
Cypemann A variation in the spelling of the name: chapman.
Cypman A variation in the spelling of the name: chapman.
Cyver A variation in the spelling of the name: siever.
Cyxten A variation in the spelling of the name: sexton.