Raitt names and jobs in 1841

The Christian names below are those most used with the surname Raitt (and variants) in Forfarshire (Angus), Kincardineshire and Aberdeenshire as found in the 1841 census. The names are listed in order of most common to least common, with the number of individuals with that name alongside.








































Raitt occupations in 1841


The occupations below are those most held by people with the surname Raitt (and variants) in Forfarshire (Angus), Kincardineshire and Aberdeenshire as found in the 1841 census. The occupations are listed in order of the most workers to the least, with the number of individuals employed in  that job  alongside. In later censuses children from about 6 onwards were in school – this was not usually shown in the 1841 census, so I have divided all children without an occupation into those aged five and under (children at home) and those aged 6 and over (scholars). Some girls were female servants at a young age; the dress maker was aged 9. Equally many women aged 20 and over were shown as without an occupation – most of them were married and thus would have been full-time housewives and mothers.


The list shows that some 70 were children, at least 23 were engaged in farming, while no fewer than 32 were working in the linen industry.



Unclassified women 41 (includes housewives and a widow)

Scholar 38 (children aged 6 and over)

Children at home 29 (children aged 5 and under)

Linen hand loom weaver 16

Independent 13

Farmer 12

Agricultural labourer 10

Female servant 8

Flax dresser 4 (includes journeyman)

Flax spinner 4

Stone miner/quarrier 3 (includes mason apprentice)

Unclassified men 3

Baker 2 (includes journeyman)

Shipmaster 2 (includes merchant seaman)

Army pensioner 1

Blacksmith journeyman 1

Book closer 1

James 17

William 17

Ann 16

David 16

John 15

Elisabeth 13 (also includes Betsy and Elspet)

Margaret 13

Alexander 11

Mary 11

Isabel 9 (includes all variations such as Isabella)

Jean 9 (includes Jane)

Helen 8 (includes Ellen)

Agnes 6

Charles 5 (includes a Challes)

Christian 5 (female name – includes Christina)

Barbara 4

Jessy 4 (includes Jess)

There were also 3 women named simply Mrs Raitt


George 3 (with mislabelled Georgina)

Marjorie 3

Susan 3

Thomas 3

Andrew 2

Cathrine 2 (includes Katrine)

Janet 2

Mary Ann 2 (includes Marion)

Adam 1

Euphemia 1

Hannah 1

Johan 1 (female name)

Julia 1

Morrison 1

Peter 1

Rachel 1

Robert 1

Walker 1


Canvas weaver 1

Carter 1

Clerk 1

Confectioner 1

Crofter 1

Dress maker 1

Flax hand loom weaver 1

Grocer 1

Hand linen spinner 1

Hand yarn spinner 1

Joiner journeyman 1

Labourer 1

Lint sorter 1

Lodging keeper 1

Milliner 1

Salmon fisher 1

Ship agent 1

Shoemaker 1

Spirit dealer 1

Warper 1

Wright 1