Dictionary of Old Occupations

Glossary of jobs beginning Ar - Az

Arbiter: person who arbitrated disputes.

Archer: a soldier who used bow and arrow.

Archiator: a physician or doctor.

Archil Maker: made a purple dye called Archil for use in the textile industry this was created by bruising lichens to which were added spirits and quick lime.

Ark Man: worked in the pottery industry producing slip in a tank called an ark.

Arkwright: maker of wooden chests called arks.

Armiger: a young nobleman who carried a knight’s armour, or a person entitled to bear a heraldic coat of arms.

Armiger Squire: another term for an armiger

Armourer: made suits of armour for wear, or a maker of firearms or weapons.

Arrowsmith: maker / forger of metal arrowheads.

Art Ware Maker: cast ornamental articles in the Pottery Trade.

Artificer: a soldier skilled in a trade, a craftsman, an inventor or a skilled worker.

Artisan: a skilled craftsman or artificer, or a person who distresses wooden items to make them appear old.

Artist Painter: artist and expert hand painter who decorated pottery.

Ashery worker: a worker at a factory or Ash Pit where hardwood was converted in to pear or potash.

Ashman: a dustman or refuse collector.

Assayer: tested metal to check its purity.

Assay Master: was in charge of an Assay Office where metal was checked for purity, and gold and silver were hallmarked.

Auger Maker: produced augers which were a type of hand operated drill used by carpenters.

Aulnager: an official who examined woollen goods for quality and applied the stamp / town seal of approval.

Aurifaber: a goldsmith, specialised in working gold and precious metals.

Avener: an Army Officer under the Master of Horse, in charge of obtaining oats for the stables and managing the accounts.

Avowry: an Advocate who represents another in legal matters, or a Lord of the Manor.

Axel Tree Maker: produced axles for carts and wagons.

Axel Turner: another term for an axel tree maker

This dictionary is my own work, and copyright Jane Hewitt. I sometimes find unauthorised (i.e. stolen) copies of my website content appearing on other people's websites. If you should read a group of identical glossary definitions elsewhere on the web, consider whether such sites are reputable or not.

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