The
Dutch
Documents
Occupations 
As you are transcribing and translating documents you will notice that many, if not all, documents contain the names of individuals and next to their names is their occupation. To make your genealogical research easier below is a Dutch list of occupations that you might come across while transcribing the genealogical documents.
Guild and apprenticeship records (Gilden registers)]
A guild is an association of artisans and merchants who oversee the practice of their craft/trade in a particular area. The earliest types of guild formed as confraternities of tradesmen, normally operating in a single city and covering a single trade. Guilds kept records I order to show their legitimacy. Guild records date from 1240 to 1850 and usually contain: Names of skilled laborers, craftsmen and apprentices, birth dates or ages, places of origin and residence, family relationships, occupations, death dates. Some guild records list their members' families with marriage dates of couples and birth dates of their children.
The types of guild records that will find will be: Records of merchants, craftsmen, tradesmen, skilled laborers, and persons bound by indenture to serve others for a prescribed period to learn an art or trade. May includes civil, religious, hospital and/or trade guilds.
|
Dutch Word |
English Word |
|
Aannemer |
Building Contractor |
|
Aardwerker |
Earthenware/Pottery Maker |
|
Advocaat |
Lawyer |
|
Ambachtsman |
Artisan |
|
Ambtenaar |
Government Official |
|
Apotheker |
Pharmacist/Chemist |
|
Apothekersbediende |
Druggist Clerk |
|
Arbeider |
Workman |
|
Arbeidster |
Workwoman |
|
Bakker |
Baker |
|
Barbier |
Barber |
|
Beddeschoonmaakster |
Chambermaid |
|
Bediende |
Servant |
|
Beeldhouwer |
Sculptor |
|
Begrafenis Baas |
Undertaker |
|
Bierbrouwer |
Beer Brewer |
|
Bijker |
Bee Keeper |
|
Binnenvaarder |
Canal Boatman |
|
Bleeker |
Bleacher |
|
Blikslager |
Tinsmith |
|
Bloemist |
Florist |
|
Boekbinder |
Book Binder |
|
Boekdrukker |
Publisher |
|
Boekhouder |
Bookkeeper |
|
Boerenknecht |
Farmer's hand |
|
Borstelmaker |
Brush Maker |
|
Bouwkundige |
Architect |
|
Broodbakker |
Baker |
|
Chirurg |
Surgeon |
|
Civil Ingenieur |
Civil Engineer |
|
Correspondent |
Correspondence Clerk |
|
Daglooner |
Day Laborer |
|
Dekker |
Roofer |
|
Dienstmeid |
Farm Servant Girl |
|
Dijkwerker |
Dyke Worker |
|
Docent |
Teacher |
|
Drukker |
Printer |
|
Gareelmaker |
Harness Maker |
|
Gaardenier |
Gardener |
|
Geestelijke |
Clergyman |
|
Gemeente Ontvanger |
Municipal Official |
|
Geneesheer |
Physician |
|
Geweermaker |
Gunsmith |
|
Glasblazer |
Glassblower |
|
Grafdelver |
Grave Digger |
|
Graveur |
Engraver |
|
Grofsmid |
Blacksmith |
|
Gruttersknecht |
Grocer's Hand |
|
Herbergier |
Innkeeper |
|
Hoedenmaakster |
Hat Maker |
|
Hoefsmid |
Blacksmith |
|
Horlogemaker |
Watchmaker |
|
Houthakker |
Wood-Cutter |
|
Huisschilder |
House Painter |
|
Huisvrouw |
Wife |
|
Huurman |
Hired Man |
|
Ijzergiester |
Foundry Man |
|
Industrieel |
Industrialist |
|
Ingenieur |
Engineer |
|
Inlandsche |
Peddler |
|
Jager |
Hunter |
|
Juwelier |
Jeweler |
|
Kaarsmaker |
Candle-maker |
|
Kaasman |
Cheesemaker |
|
Kapelaan |
Curate |
|
Kapper |
Hairdresser |
|
Karreman |
Cartman |
|
Kassier |
Cashier |
|
Kasteleijn |
Inn-keeper |
|
Katoenspinner |
Cotton Spinner |
|
Kelner |
Waiter |
|
Keukenmeid |
Kitchen Maid |
|
Kleedermaker |
Tablecloth Maker |
|
Kleermaker |
Tailor |
|
Kleijmaker |
Claymaker |
|
Klerk |
Clerk |
|
Klompenmaker |
Wooden Shoemaker |
|
Koekbakker |
Confectioner |
|
Koetsier |
Coachman |
|
Kofferbeslager |
Luggage Smith |
|
Koffiehuishouder |
Cafe Proprieter |
|
Kok |
Cook |
|
Koopman |
Merchant |
|
Koopvaarder |
Merchantman |
|
Koperslager |
Coppersmith |
|
Korendrager |
Wheat Carrier |
|
Kroeghouder |
Bar Keeper |
|
Kuijper |
Cooper |
|
Kunstschilder |
Artist |
|
Laarzenmaker |
Bootmaker |
|
Landbouwer |
Farmer |
|
Leemvormer |
Clay Molder |
|
Leerlooijer |
Tanner |
|
Leraar |
Teacher |
|
Liefdezuster |
Nun |
|
Likeurstoker |
Distiller |
|
Lintwerker |
Linen Weaver |
|
Lithograaf |
Lithographer |
|
Logementhouder |
Innkeeper |
|
Machinist |
Engineer |
|
Makelaar |
Broker |
|
Mandenmaker |
Basket Maker |
|
Marsdrager |
Peddler |
|
Matroos |
Sailor |
|
Metselaar |
Bricklayer |
|
Mineur |
Miner |
|
Modemaakster |
Milliner |
|
Modiste |
Milliner |
|
Molenaar |
Miller |
|
Molenmaker |
Windmill Maker |
|
Naaister |
Seamstress |
|
Natuurkundige |
Physicist |
|
Oppasser |
Caretaker |
|
Orgelmaker |
Organmaker |
|
Paarddriller |
Horse Trainer |
|
Pakkendrager |
Delivery Man |
|
Parapluiemaker |
Umbrella Maker |
|
Particulier |
Private Person |
|
Pastoor |
Priest/Rector |
|
Pachter |
Tenant Farmer |
|
Pettenmaker |
Cap Maker |
|
Ploeger |
Plowman |
|
Photograaf |
Photographer |
|
Planter |
Planter |
|
Politieagent |
Policeman |
|
Postbode |
Mailman/Messenger |
|
Pottenbakker |
Potter/Ceramist |
|
Pottenmakker |
Pot Maker |
|
Predikant |
Minister |
|
Priester |
Catholic Priest |
|
Professor |
University Professor |
|
Radmaker |
Wheelwright |
|
Reitdekker |
Roofer |
|
Rijtuig |
Harness Maker |
|
Schilder |
Painter |
|
Scheepsmaker |
Ship Builder |
|
Schepen |
Alderman |
|
Schoenmaker |
Shoemaker |
|
Schoolmeester |
Schoolmaster |
|
Schoorsteenveger |
Chimney Sweeper |
|
Schriver |
Writer |
|
Secretaris |
Secretary |
|
Slager |
Butcher |
|
Smid |
Blacksmith |
|
Steenbakker |
Brickmaker |
|
Steenhouwer |
Mason |
|
Stoelenmaker |
Chair Maker |
|
Straatmaker |
Street Paver |
|
Stukadoor |
Plasterer |
|
Tapper |
Tavern Owner |
|
Tekenaar |
Designer |
|
Telegrafist |
Telegrapher |
|
Timmerlieden |
Carpenter |
|
Timmerman |
Carpenter |
|
Touwslager |
Rope Maker |
|
Uitgever |
Publisher |
|
Uitdekker |
Roofer |
|
Uurwerkmaker |
Watchmaker/Clockmaker |
|
Varensgezel |
Sailor |
|
Veearts |
Veterinarian |
|
Veloarbeider |
Field Hand |
|
Venter |
Peddler |
|
Verloskundige |
Midwife |
|
Verfmaker |
Paintmaker |
|
Verpleegster |
Nurse |
|
Visscher |
Fisherman |
|
Voerman |
Coach Driver |
|
Wagenmaker |
Wagon Maker |
|
Washvrouw |
Washwoman |
|
Werkman |
Workman |
|
Winkelier |
Shopkeeper |
|
Zeelieden |
Sailors |
|
Zeilmaker |
Sail-maker |
|
Zendeling |
Missionary |
