|
Welcome to the
|
Ancient Occupations
SOME MEDIEVAL AND OBSOLETE ENGLISH TRADE AND PROFESSIONAL TERMS USED FROM CA. 1086-1400Aquarius (Ewer)--Waterman
Aurifaber--Goldsmith.
Avenator (Plantifene)--Hay and Forage Merchant.
Barker--Tanner.
Baxter--Baker.
Belhoste--Tavern keeper.
Belleyetere--Bellfounder.
Bowyer--Bowmaker.
Brasiler--Dyer.
Burneman--Carrier of barm or water for brewers.
Cancellarius--Chancellor.
Cardmaker--Maker--of cards or instrumets for combing wool.
Carnifex--Butcher.
Carpentarius--Carpenter.
Chaloner--Dealer in shalloon, a material made in Chlons.
Chapman--Merchant.
Chirugion--Apothecary or Surgeon.
Cissor--Tailor.
Clericus--Clerk
Cocus (Keu)--Cook
Combere--Woolcomber
Corvisor (Cordewanarius, Cordwainer)-- Shoemaker, originally a worker in Cordovan leather.
Cotiler--Cutler
Cuhreur (Cunreur)--Currier.
Cuper--Cooper; a barrel maker.
Dexter--Dyer.
Dubbere--Cloth dubber, i.e., one who raises the nap of cloth.
Dudder--Probably a maker of coarse cloaks.
Daunsel--Gentleman in waiting, groom or squire.
Dysshere--Probably a ditcher, or in some cases a disher.
Elymaker--Oilmaker.
Faber--Smith.
Ferur (Ferator)--Farrier or blacksmith.
Fisher (Fishdryver)--Victualler.
Flauner--Confectioner.
Fleshewer--Butcher.
Fletcher--Arrowmaker.
Forestarius--Forester.
Frereman--Servant of the Friars.
Fuller--One who trampled cloth. See alsoWalker.
Furber (Furbour)--Furbisher of armour.
Furner--Baker.
Garcifer (Garcio)--Groom, attendant.
Garlekmonger--Dealer in garlic.
Glassewryght--Maker and mender of glassware.
Gynour--Engineer.
Hamberghmaker (Hamberow)--Horse collar maker.
Harper--Musician (?).
Hetheleder--Provider of heather for fuel.
Hosteler--Innkeeper.
Husbandman--Tenant farmer.
Kepegest--Innkeeper.
Latouner--Worker in latten, a metal resembling brass.
Limner--Draughtsman or Artist.
Lokeer--Locksmith.
Lorimer--Bridlemaker.
Macun--Mason.
Marescallus--Marshall.
Medicus--Leech, Doctor.
Mercator--Merchant.
Molendinarius--(Muner)--Miller.
Mustarder--Grower & grinder of mustard.
Nedder--Needle-maker.
Palmer--A Pilgrim, one who had been, or pretended to have been, to the Holy Land.
Paneler--Saddler.
Pannarius--Clothier and Draper.
Pannebeter--Pan-hammerer, or perhaps clothdriver.
Pardoner--One licensed to sell Papal Indulgences.
Parmentor--Probably a parchment maker, or tailor.
Parcheminer--Parchment maker.
Pattenmaker--Maker of iron-rimmed patterns for footwear.
Pelliparius (Peltarius--Skinner.
Perukemaker--Wigmaker.
Pictor--Painter.
Pinder--Keeper of the Pound or Pinfold.
Piscarius--Fishmonger.
Piscator--Fisherman.
Pistor--Miller or Baker.
Plantifene (see Avernator).
Plomer--Plumber.
Pynner--Pin-maker.
Roper--Ropemaker.
Rotarius--Wheelwright.
Safernman--Grower of Saffron.
Samitere (Samite)--Maker of a kind of heavy silk.
Sauntere--Probably Salt maker.
Sausere--Salter.
Seinter--Girdlemaker.
Seler (Sellarius)--Sadder.
Serviens--Sergeant.
Servus--Servant.
Sherman (Shearman)--One who raised the surface of woolen cloth and then sheared it to a smooth surface.
Shether--(See Vaginarius).
Sifker--Sievemaker.
Sissor (Cissor)--Tailor.
Sleymaker--Maker of instruments to part threads in weaving.
Soper--Soapmaker.
Spittleman--Hospital Attendant.
Spicer--Grocer.
Spurrier--Spurmaker.
Stabler--Ostler.
Stasyon (Stawsun)--Probably a Stationer.
Sugarer--Dealer in sugar. (Grocer ?)
Sumner--Summoner or Apparitor.
Sutor--Shoemaker or cobbler.
Tabernarius--Taverner, Innkeeper.
Tannator--Tanner.
Teinter--Dyer.
Textor--Weaver.
Tinctor--Dyer or possibly a painter.
Upholder--Upholsterer; also a cheapjack and seller of secondhand goods.
Vaginarius, Sheather--Scabbard maker.
Venator (Venur)--Huntsman.
Vintner--Wine Merchant.
Walker (Same as Fuller)--Cloth trampler or cleaner.
Webster--Weaver.
Whittawer--Preparer of white leather.
Yeoman--Freehold farmer.
©Chapman Family Association
All contents copyrighted by the Chapman Family Association unless copyrighted by individual contributors.