Sweden Business and Occupations
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Online Resources
- 1752-1941 Sweden, Sailors and Seamen’s House Enrollments at MyHeritage — index ($)
Occupations
Occupations are an important tool for the family history researcher. They help us to identify the same person when there are others in the same record by the same name. They help us to understand our ancestors’ life circumstances.
Occupations were also a measure of social status. Some trades were viewed as more prestigious than others. For example, goldsmiths had more prestige than shoemakers. Many trades, such as butchers, tanners, shoemakers, tailors, and others were organized into guilds, which were in charge of training apprentices and regulating a trade's practice in an area. Many guild records are in the Nordiska Museet collection in Stockholm. Do a search for the word Skråarkiv in Nationell Arkivdatabas.
This occupational word list is under construction. As of February 2013 there are over 800 occupations listed. The intention is to improve this list over time. Keep in mind there are some words that do not have a good English translation. See the references at the bottom of the page for all the sources used in building this list.
| Occupation | Short definition | Full definition |
|---|---|---|
| abbot | abbot | |
| accismästare | customs officer | see Accismästare |
| ackuschörska | a midwife | |
| adelsbussar | (military) soldier of lower rank | see Adelsbussar |
| adelsman | nobleman | |
| adelssven | page (youth) | A young nobleman, who worked at a Royal Court. |
| adjunctus sacri ministerii | (latin) pastorsadjunkt | see adjunkt |
| adjunkt | teacher | (civil) teacher, 2nd level university, higher learning, or seminary; (ecclesiastical) pastorsadjunkt or pastoratsadjunkt |
| administer, administra | (latin) attendant, and assistant | |
| administrator | (latin) administrator | |
| advocat | lawyer, attorney | |
| advocatus ecclesiae | (latin) lawyer of the assembly | |
| aedituus | (latin) keeper of the sacristy | person in charge of the sacristy and ceremonial equipment |
| aftonsångspredikant | evening-service preacher | |
| agent | agent, representative | |
| aktor | accuser, impeacher, prosecutor | |
| aktris | actress | female play actor, performer |
| aktör | actor | male play actor, performer |
| allmänningsbonde | common farmer, peasant, or man | |
| allmäningskarl | common farmer, peasant, or man | |
| amiral | admiral (military) | |
| anförare | leader, chief, commander, captain-general, captain (1788) | |
| angivare | informer (1788) | |
| anklagare | accuser, impeacher (1788) | |
| ansättare | (military) rammer | service position with ramrods |
| apotekare | pharmaceutical chemist, pharmacist | |
| arbetare | worker, laborer | |
| arbetskarl | male worker, workman, laborer | |
| arbetsman | male worker, workman, laborer | |
| arbk. | abbreviation for arbetskarl | male worker, workman, laborer |
| arkebusier | (military) member of firing squad | arkebusera is to shoot by order of the court |
| arkibiskop | (1788) archbishop | modern Swedish ärkebiskop |
| arklimästare | (military) gunner | gunner's mate, quarter gunner (from 1829) |
| arrendator | tenant farmer, leaseholder | see Arrendator |
| artillerist | (military) man of the artillery | |
| artillerikonstapel | (military) bombardier | |
| assessor | assessor | |
| assuradör | insurer, underwriter | |
| auktionist, auktionskommissarie | auctioneer | one who performs auctions for public sale |
| auktor, autor | author | author, penman, writer (1829) |
| avisskrivare | newswriter | gazetteer, or newswriter |
| avskedad soldat | discharged, resigned soldier | |
| avskrivare (1788) | transcriber, copier | |
| axplockare | gleaner | gleaning, earing, after gathering |
| backstuguhjon | cottager (1788) | see backstugusittare |
| backstugusittare | cottager | one who lived in a small cottage, dugout, or hut. See: Backstugusittare |
| badare | keeper of a bath house (1788) | |
| badaremästare | barber surgeon | |
| badmästare | bath-keeper | (1889) |
| bagare | baker | |
| bagaregesäll | baker's man | |
| bagarelärling | baker's apprentice, baker's boy, bread chipper | |
| bagaremästare | master baker | |
| banérförare | (military) standard bearer, ensign bearer | |
| banérherre | (military) banneret | |
| banér-riddare | (military) knight banneret | |
| bankvaktmästare | porter, messenger at a bank | |
| banmästare | overseer of a railway line | |
| barberare | barber, shaver | |
| barberarebiträde | barber's assistant | |
| barberaregesäll | journeyman barber | |
| barberarelärling | barber's apprentice | |
| barkare | tanner | (1829) |
| barnförlossare | male midwife | |
| barnmorska | female midwife | |
| barnpiga | maid for children | |
| barnsköterska | female nurse (not wet nurse) | |
| baron | baron | baron is a title used later for friherrar. Between 1626 and 1719 the nobility was divided into three classes. Friherrar belonged to the second class, yet still considered high nobility. After the dismantlement of the classes, the friherrar continued as nobility (some titled, others not) with a coat of arms. |
| basunist | trumpeter | performer on the trumpet, or trombone |
| bataljonsadjuntant | (military) sergeant-major | |
| bataljonschef | (military) commander of a battalion | |
| batterikonstapel | (military) battalion bombardier | |
| bedragare | cheat, impostor, deceiver | |
| befallningshavande | governor, magistrate, officer in command | Kungens ...His Majesties county government board, high sheriff |
| befallningsman | bailiff, husbandry, overseer | |
| befallningsman (konungens) | county governor | Also seen as abbreviation befalm. |
| befaren båtsman | (military) traveling sailor | |
| befordrare | promoter, advancer, forwarder, furtherer (1788) | |
| befällningshavande | officer in command | |
| beherskare | commander (1788), ruler, master, monarch, overruler, controller (1889) | |
| bensamlare | rag and bone seller, bone hunter | |
| bergmästare | minemaster (1829) | mineral surveyor as a government official (1889) |
| bergsarbetare | miner | |
| bergsbruksidkare | mining man | |
| bergsfogde | bailiff of a mine | a subordinate officer whose business lies in affairs relating to the mines (1788) |
| bergshauptman | mine inspector | |
| bergskarl | miner | |
| bergslagsman | miner, proprietor of a mine | |
| bergsman | miner | part owner of a mine (1788) |
| bergsprångare | miner | one who blows up rocks with gunpowder, miner (1788) |
| bergsråd | counsellor in the board relating to mineral affairs (1788) | |
| beridare | horsebreaker, riding master | |
| beskattningsman | taxer, assessor | |
| beslagare | seizer, confiscator, setter | a kind of bailiff (1788) |
| beslagskarl | see beslagare | |
| besökare | customs official (1889), visitor (modern) | |
| betalare | paymaster (1788) | |
| betjänt | servant, civil servant | |
| bettlare | beggar | |
| bevaktare | guard, keeper | |
| bevakningsbefälhavare | captain of the watch | |
| bevarare | preserver, saver, conservator | |
| beväringskarl | militia man, conscript | |
| beväringsman | militia man, conscript | |
| bibliotekarie | librarian | |
| bijouterihandlare | dealer in jewelry, trinkets | |
| bildhuggare | sculptor, statuary, carver | |
| bildskärare | se bildsnidare | |
| bildsnidare | sculptor | |
| biljettförsäljare | ticket seller, booking clerk | |
| biljettförsäljerska | ticket seller, booking clerk (woman) | |
| bilöpare | interloper | a illegal or unlicensed trader |
| bindare | tier, binder, fastener | for example net making |
| biodlare | bee-keeper, bee-master, apiarist | |
| biskop | bishop | sometimes abbreviated as bisp. |
| biskötare | bee-keeper, bee-master | |
| biträde | assistant | |
| bjudare | inviter, asker, offerer, bidder | |
| bleckslagare | tin smith, white smith, tinner, tinman | If you are researching an ancestor who worked as a smith: see: Smedskivan |
| blockmakare | block maker, pulley maker | |
| blodigelodlare | cultivator of leeches | |
| blomsterhandlare | flower seller (male) | also known as blomstermånglare |
| blomsterhandlerska | flower seller (female) | also known as blomstermånglerska |
| blomsterodlare | cultivator of flowers, florist | |
| blossbärare | torch-bearer | |
| blyarbetare | lead worker, plumber | |
| blyfalsare | plumber | |
| blystöpare | plumber | |
| blytäckare | plumber | |
| bodbetjent | shopkeeper's clerk, shopman, counterman | |
| boddräng | shop hand | |
| bodflicka | shop girl, shop maid | |
| bodgosse | shop boy, shop keepers apprentice | |
| bodhandlare | shopkeeper, tradesman | |
| bodmamsell | shop girl, shop woman | |
| bokbindare | bookbinder | |
| bokförare | book keeper | |
| bokhandlare | bookseller | |
| bokhållare | book keeper | same as bokförare |
| bokhäftare | book stitcher | |
| bokmakare | book wright, book maker | |
| bonde | farmer, peasant, countryman, husbandman | |
| bondedräng | farm hand | a farmer's man, young peasant |
| bondeflicka | country girl | |
| bondepiga | peasant's maid | |
| borgare | citizen, burgher | member of the bourgeois, townsman, tradesman, citizen of a city (meaning certain rights within the city) |
| borgmästare | mayor | in England and North America.. mayor, in Scotland.. provost, in Holland, Belgium, Flanders, and Germany.. burgomaster. |
| borrare | borer, driller, piercer, perforator | |
| borrmakare | bit forger | a smith that makes drilling and chiseling bits |
| borrsmed | bit smith | a smith that makes drilling and chiseling bits If you are researching an ancestor who worked as a smith, see: Smedskivan |
| boskapshandlare | dealer of livestock | |
| boskapsherde | herdsman | |
| boskapsskötare | stockman | |
| boskapsvaktare | herdsman | |
| boställshavare | holder (occupier) of (an official) residence | |
| bouppteckningsman | person who inventories (1889) | |
| boutredningsman | administrator | |
| brandmästare | fire warden | |
| braständare | fire lighter | |
| brevbärare | letter carrier, postman | |
| brevdragare | see brevbärare | |
| brevskrivare | letter writer | |
| brevställare | see brevskrivare | |
| brobyggare | bridge builder | |
| broderare | embroiderer | |
| broläggare | bridge builder, paver | |
| bromästare | bridge master | |
| bronsarbetare | worker in bronze | |
| bronsgjutare | bronze founder, brazier | |
| brottmålsdomare | judge criminal | |
| brottmålsnoterie | crown clerk | |
| brovaktare | guard of a bridge | |
| brovindare | bridge driver | |
| brukare | user, employer, (in the case of arrendator) a tenant, leaseholder | |
| bruksarbetare | factoryman, workman employed on a manufacturing estate; workman in the employment of the iron works, foundryman, mill hand | |
| bruksegare | proprietor of a manufacturing estate | |
| bryggare | brewer | |
| brännmästare | master distiller | |
| brännvinsbrännare | brandy distiller | |
| buntmakare | fur merchant, furrier, fellmonger | |
| byfogde | hamlet bailiff | |
| byggare, byggkarl | builder, architect, constructor, founder | |
| byggmästare | master builder, contractor | |
| bykerska | washerwoman | |
| byskomakare | village shoemaker | |
| bågflytt | archer, bowman | |
| båtsman, b.m., B.m. | (military) seaman, sailor | |
| bälgmakare | bellows-maker | |
| bödel | executioner | |
| bösseskytt | (military) | |
| bössmed | gunsmith | |
| cantor | (latin) | in latin refers to singing or music, in the church records see klockare |
| curatus | (latin) | kyrkopräst, kyrkoherde, kapellan |
| custod | (latin) | guardian, watchman, keeper, attendant |
| d., dr. | abbreviation for dräng | |
| dagkarl, daglönare | day laborer | |
| danneman | yeoman, countryman, farmer | |
| degn | assistant to the priest | The term "degn" is a Danish title for an assistant to the parish priest. The term can be found in the records for areas of modern Sweden that have Danish roots (Skåne, Halland, etc.) |
| deja, dejpiga | maidservant, milkmaid | |
| demoiselle | Miss | |
| d.g. | ||
| disponent | manager, gerant, agent, managing clerk | |
| domare | judge | |
| domesticus | (latin) | servant, one who serves in a household |
| domprost | dean | see also prestman |
| dr. | abbreviation for dräng | |
| drabant, dravant | (military) yeoman of the guard, beefeater | |
| dragon | (military) heavy and light cavalryman | |
| dräng, dr. | farmhand, man servant, bachelor | |
| däga | see deja | |
| emigrantagent | emigrant agent | |
| emigrantvärvare | emigrant agent | |
| extra roteringsmän | ||
| fabriksarbetare | factory worker | |
| famnmätare | corder of wood | |
| fanjunkare | (military) sergeant major, staff sergeant, quartermaster sergeant (1889) | |
| fatburshustru | wife of a storekeeper | |
| fatburssven | storehouse apprentice | |
| fattighjon | pauper | |
| filtare | felter | |
| finbagare | pastry cook | |
| fiolmakare | violen maker | |
| fiskare | fisherman | |
| fiskarflicka | fisher girl | |
| fiskargosse | fisher boy | |
| fiskhandlare | fish salesman, fish hawker | |
| fjerdingsman | under bailiff of a härad | |
| fjäderarbetare | feather maker | |
| fjärdingsman | see fjerdingsman | |
| flickare | cobbler, botcher, patcher | |
| fogde | governor (of a castle), or steward of a manor (1829 and 1889) | also means sheriff, bailiff, marshall (1944) |
| forbonde | carter, wagoner | |
| forman | see forbonde | |
| formare | moulder (1829) | |
| friborgare | freeman, citizen of a freetown (1829) | |
| frihandlare | free trader | |
| friherre | baron | |
| friherrinna | baroness | |
| fru | Mrs. | |
| frälse | nobility | |
| frälsebonde | a farmer who holds his land of a nobleman, chief tenant | |
| frälsetorpare | see frälsebonde | |
| fröken | lady, honorable Miss | |
| fyrvaktare | lighthouse man | |
| fyrverkare | (military) fire worker | |
| fågelfängare | bird catcher, birder, birdman | |
| fånggevald, fånggevaldiger | A person who guards prisoners during transporting of prisoners | |
| fårherde | sheep tender, shepherd | |
| fårklippare | sheep shearer | |
| fädräng | male herdsman, working with cattle | |
| fäflicka | female herder, working with cattle | |
| fäktmästare | fencing master, master swordsman | |
| fältbagare | army baker | |
| fältjägare | army ranger | |
| fältpredikant | army chaplain | |
| fältskär | assistant army surgeon, barber- surgeon | |
| fältväbel | (military) sergeant major | |
| fänrik | (military) ensign (carries a banner), junior lietutenant | also seen as fändrik |
| färgare | dyer, stainer | |
| färgaregesäll | journeyman dyer | |
| färikarl | ferryman (1829) | |
| färsing | weaver, common weaver | |
| fästebonde | a tenant farmer | This farmer works a farm under contract (fästebrev) from a main farm |
| förare | carrier, transporter, conductor, military: NCO, sergeant | meaning varies with context: profession- conductor, railroad- guard, guider, travel- guide, leader, navigator, escort |
| föreståndare | manager | manager of a school, or poor house, can also mean warden of a hospital |
| förpaktare | tenant farmer, leaseholder | alias to arrendator |
| förpantare | mortgager, | |
| försvarslös | unemployed person, vagrant, vagabond | also means defenseless |
| garnhandlare | dealer in wools | |
| garnisonssoldat | soldier in garrison duty | |
| garvare | tanner (1829) | |
| gaständare | gas lighter | |
| generalbefälhavare | commanding general of a district | |
| generallöjtnant | lieutenant general | |
| gesäll | journeyman | often abbreviated as gs |
| gjutare | caster, founder, moulder | works at a foundry |
| glasarbetare | glass worker | |
| glasblåsare | glassblower | |
| glasfabrikant | glassmaker | |
| glashandlare | glassman | |
| glasmakare, glasverkare | glassmaker | |
| glasmålare | glass painter | |
| glasslipare | glass cutter, glass grinder | |
| glasögonmakare | maker of glasses, spectacle maker | |
| glättare | glosser, glazer, levigator | |
| gratialist | pensionary (1889) | person who receives or lives on a pension |
| grenadjär | (military) grenadier, infantryman | |
| grosshandlare | merchant, wholesale merchant, dealer | |
| gruvarbetare | miner | |
| gruvbrytare | miner | |
| gruvförvaltare | mine owner, puser to a mining company | |
| gruvkarl | see gruvarbetare | |
| grönsakshandlare | green grocer | also known as grönsaksmånglare |
| gs. | abbreviation for gesäll | |
| guldarbetare | goldsmith (1829) | If you are researching an ancestor who worked as a smith, see: Smedskivan |
| guldsmed | goldsmith (1829) | If you are researching an ancestor who worked as a smith, see: Smedskivan |
| gårdsbrukare | farmer | |
| gårdsdräng | see dräng | |
| gårdsfogde | see befallningsman | |
| gästgivare | innkeeper | |
| gördelmakare, götlemakare | brazier, girdler (1829, 1889) | |
| hammarmästare | forge master | |
| hammarsmed | forger, hammerman | |
| hamnfogde | overseer of a port | |
| hamnkapten | harbor master | |
| handelsidkare | trader, merchandiser | |
| handelsman | merchant, trader | |
| handhavare | dispenser, administrator, distributor | |
| handskmakare | glove maker, glover | |
| hantverkare | artisan, tradesman, craftsman | |
| hantverksgesäll | journeyman artisian | |
| hattmakare | hatmaker | |
| hejdriddare | ranger | governmental official of the forest and hunting system of greater Sweden |
| hembiträde | servant girl, maid | |
| hemmansegare | farm owner | |
| hemmansbrukare | farmer | husbandman (1829) referring to head of household |
| hemmansägare | farmer, homeowner | same as jordegare |
| herrgårdstjenst | service at a manor | |
| hjon | person (1829, 1889) | person who belongs to a group for example: tjänstehjon (a servant), inhyseshjon (a tenant), fattighjon (a pauper) |
| hjulmakare | wheelwright, wheeler | |
| hjulmakardräng | wheelwrights servant or assistant | |
| hjälphjon | extra hand or helper | |
| hjälphustru | helping woman, | |
| hovbagare (1829) | the kings baker | |
| hovdam (1829) | lady of the court | |
| hovbetjent (1829) | officer of the court | |
| hovjunkare (1829) | servant to the king | an officer who on court days sets the dishes on the kings table and carves the meat |
| hovkansler | court chancellor | |
| hovman (1829) | courtier | |
| hudafdragare (1889) | skinner, flayer | |
| husbonde (1829) | master of a family or house | |
| husdräng (1829) | man servant in a house | |
| husfader | head of household, father | |
| husflicka | girl servant in a house | |
| husfolk | farmers, farm people | |
| hushållare | housekeeper | |
| husjungfru (1829) | see hushållerska | |
| husmamsell | housekeeper | |
| husman | tenant farmer | see inhysseshjon, backstuguhjon (1829), see torpare (1889) |
| husmoder | housewife, mistress of a family | |
| huspiga | housemaid | |
| huspredikant | private chaplain, house preacher | |
| hustjänare | house servant, domestic | |
| hustru | wife, mistress of a family | |
| hyttarbetare | smelter, works at a foundry | |
| hållkarl | hostler | one who takes care of horses or mules |
| hårarbetare | hair worker | |
| häradsbokhållare | see häradsskrivare | |
| häradsdomare | senior jurate | the oldest of the jury |
| häradsfogde | bailiff of a härad (district) | |
| häradshövding | judge of a härad (distirct), circuit judge | |
| häradsskrivare | clerk to assize, deputy clerk | compiled various tax records for their taxation district (fögderi) |
| hövitsman | captain | |
| infanterist | foot soldier | |
| inhyses | to live gratis (costless, free) at another persons house, lodger | |
| inhyseshjon | to live gratis (costless, free) at another persons house, lodger | |
| inspektor | inspector | inspector of a school, or steward. comparable to befallningsman, rättare |
| inspektör | inspector | superior, superintendent |
| ishandlare | ice man, dealer of ice | |
| jagare | hunter, chaser, pursuer | |
| jodgumma (1829) | midwife | see barnmorska |
| jordbrukare | husbandman (1829) | cultivator, farmer (1889) |
| jordegare | landowner, landholder, landlord | |
| jordegumma | midwife (1889) | |
| jungfru | maiden, virgin, miss, damsel | |
| junker | young nobleman, squire, lord, master, gentleman | |
| jurist | lawyer | |
| justitieborgmästare | recorder | |
| justitieminister | minster of justice | |
| justitiestatsminister | lord high chancellor, lord chief justice | |
| juvelerare | jeweller | |
| jägare | hunter, huntsman, woodman, ranger | |
| jägeribetjent | gamekeeper | |
| jägmästare | master of the forest, forester (government appointment) | |
| järnhandlare | dealer of iron | |
| järnvägsarbetare | worker on a railway | |
| järnvägsbetjening | service on a railway line | |
| kakelungsmakare | tile manufacturer, tile maker | used to make tile stoves, or a tile fireplace |
| kammarfru | bedchamber woman | |
| kammarjunkare | gentleman of the king's bedchamber | |
| kammarjungfru | see kammarpiga | |
| kammarjägare | rat hunter | |
| kammarpiga | lady's maid | |
| kammarskrivare | clerk in a government office | |
| kamrerare | accountant, clerk in charge of accounts | |
| kanongjutare | cannon founder | founder who makes cannons |
| kapellmästare | chapel master | |
| kapellpredikant | preacher at a chapel | see kaplan |
| kaplan, kapellan | chaplain, out vicar, curate | |
| kapten | (military) captain | for example infaterikapten is a captain of infantry soldiers |
| karduansmakare | cordwainer, leather dresser | worker in cordovan leather, leather from Córdoba, Spain |
| kavallerist | (military) cavalryman | |
| kedjemakare | chain maker | |
| kistmakare | box maker | |
| kittelbotare, kittelflickare | tinker | |
| kittelslagare | kettle maker | |
| klampare | a foreman at a lumberyard | see Klampare |
| klensmed | locksmith, toolmaker | |
| klockare, klr. | parish clerk | see Klockare |
| klockgjutare | bell founder | |
| klr. | abbreviation for klockare | |
| kn. | abbreviation for knekt | |
| klädesfärgare | cloth dyer | |
| klädeshandlare | cloth merchant | |
| klädesvävare | cloth weaver | |
| klädsömmerska | dressmaker | |
| knalle | pedlar, chapman, cheap jack | |
| knappmakare | button maker | |
| knekt | (military) soldier, man at arms | |
| knifvässare | knife sharpener, cutler | |
| knifsmed | cutler | |
| knipare | nipper | |
| knypplare | male lace maker | |
| knypplerska | female lace maker | |
| koarrendator | see mjölkarrendator | |
| kofferdi | merchant marine | |
| kofferdikapten | captain of a merchant ship | |
| kofferdimatros | merchant seaman | |
| koffertsnickare | trunk maker | |
| kokerska | female cook, cook maid | |
| kogubbe | cow feeder, cow keeper | |
| kolarbetare | collier | one that produces charcoal, or coal miner |
| kolare | coal man, charcoal burner | |
| kolbonde | coal carter | |
| kolhandlare | coal merchant | |
| komminister | perpetual curate | a clergyman in charge of a parish, or a clergyman serving as assistant in a parish |
| kommissarie | commissioner | could have various meanings such as: police superintendent, sheriffs bailiff, military commissary |
| konduktor | conductor, guard with the railways | |
| konduktör | sergeant | |
| konstapel | (police) constable | in the military it can mean corporal, bombardier, gunner, steward |
| konstnär | artist | |
| kontorskrivare | clerk | |
| kontraktsprost | rural dean | |
| kopparslagare | coppersmith | If you are researching an ancestor who worked as a smith, see: Smedskivan |
| koppartryckare | copper plate printer | |
| korgarbetare | basket worker, wicker | |
| korgflätare | basket maker | |
| korherre | canon | a clergyman receiving a sum of money for officiating and serving in the church |
| korpral | (military) corporal | |
| kovaktare | cow keeper | |
| kreaturshandlare | see boskapshandlare | |
| krf., krfi., krfierd, krfj. | abbreviation kronofjärdingsman | |
| krigsman | soldier | |
| kronoarrendator | crown tenant, crown peasant | |
| kronobefallningsman | see länsman | |
| kronobetjäning | police | |
| kronobonde | crown peasant | |
| kronofogde | high bailiff and collector of taxes | See Kronofogden |
| kronojägare | ranger | |
| kronolänsman, krlmn. | see länsman | |
| kronouppbördsman | commissioner of the inland revenue, tax collector | |
| krukmakare | potter | |
| kryddkrämare | grocer, storekeeper | |
| krögare | keeper of a public house, tavern keeper, ale draper | |
| kurir | courier | |
| kusk, kutsk | coachman | |
| kustuppsyningsman | an under officer with the coast guard | |
| kvarnarrendator | renter of a mill | |
| kvarnbyggare | mill wright | |
| kvarndräng | mill hand | |
| kvarnegare | mill owner | |
| kvarntullsinspektor | mill toll inspector | |
| kypare | wine cooper, cooper | |
| kyrkobetjänare | churchman, clergyman | |
| kyrkoföreståndare | churchwarden | |
| kyrkoherde | rector, parson, parish minister | |
| kyrkovaktare | church guard, sexton | |
| kyrkvärd | churchwarden | |
| käpphandlare | cane seller, caneman | |
| kökbetjäning | kitchen staff | |
| kökspiga | kitchen maid | |
| köpman | merchant | |
| körsnär | fur merchant, furrier | see buntmakare |
| kötthandlare | meat salesman, butcher | |
| köttmånglare | see kötthandlare | |
| lackerare | one who applies lacquer | |
| ladugårdsidkare | dairyman | |
| ladugårdspiga | dairymaid | |
| laggare | hooper | a binder, who fastens or binds as with a hoop |
| lagkarl | lawyer | |
| landbo | tenant farmer | with weaker right than an "åbo" tenant farmer |
| landshövding | lord lieutenant | see befallningshavande |
| landsknekt | (military) landsquenet | |
| landskontorist | clerk in receivers office | |
| landsman | fellow countryman, compatriot | |
| landstrykare | vagrant, tramp | |
| landsvägsriddare | knight of the road | can also mean tramp, marauder |
| landtbo | countryman, person from the country | |
| landtbrukare | farmer, gentleman farmer | |
| landtbruksbokhållare | under steward | |
| landtbruksinspektor | land steward | |
| landtflicka | country girl | |
| landthandlare | country shopkeeper | |
| landthushållare | husbandman | see also jordbrukare |
| landtjunkare | country squire, country buck, fox hunter | |
| lantmätare | a surveyor employed by the National Surveying Office (Lantmäteriet.) | |
| lappare | patcher, botcher, clouter, cobbler | |
| lappbonde | Lapp peasant | |
| lappskarvare | botcher, cobbler, arch botcher | |
| lappskräddare | patch tailor, botcher | |
| lastningsbokhållare | shipping clerk | |
| legoknekt | (military) mercenary | |
| likörare | hearse driver | |
| liktarskeppare | lighterman, bargeman | |
| limkokare | glue boiler | |
| linberedare | flax dresser | |
| linhandlare | dealer in flax, flaxman | |
| linhäcklare | flax dresser | |
| linvävare | linen weaver | |
| livdrabant | (military) yeoman of the guard | |
| livdragon | (military) trooper belonging to the dragoons | |
| livgrenadjär | (military) soldier belonging tot the grenadiers | |
| livhussar | (military) trooper belonging to the hussars | |
| ljusfabrikör | candlemaker | |
| logarvare | tanner | |
| lokomotivförare | locomotive driver, locomotive engineer | |
| lots | sea pilot | |
| lumphandlare | rag dealer | |
| lumpsamlare | ragman, rag picker, bunter | |
| lånförmedlare | negotiator of loans, broker | |
| läkare | doctor | healer, curer, physician |
| länsbokhållare | sheriff clerk | |
| länsinnehavare | tenant of a feud | |
| länsman | sheriff | |
| länsåklagare | county prosecutor | |
| lärare | teacher | |
| lärling | apprentice | |
| löjtnant | lieutenant | |
| lösdrivare | vagrant | |
| madam | title of a married woman in the working class (1889), Mrs. | Earlier a title with status between "hustru" (farmers, etc.) and "fru" (noblit, priests, etc.) |
| madrassmakare | mattressmaker | |
| magasinbokhållare | warehouse clerk | |
| magasinsförvaltare | store keeper, warehouse clerk | |
| magistratsperson | municipal officer, magistrate, alderman | |
| magistratssekreterare | town clerk | |
| major | (military) army major | |
| majorska | wife of a major | |
| malmbrytare | mine digger, miner | |
| malthandlare | dealer in malt, maltman | |
| mamsell | miss | comparable to fröken |
| mantalskommissarie | tax collector (for the mantals tax) | |
| manufakturhandlare | haberdasher | dealer in mens clothing and accessories |
| marketentare | sutler | a civilian provisioner to an army post often with a shop on the post |
| marketenterska | canteen woman, sutler wench (1889) | |
| marmorarbetare | marble cutter | |
| maskinarbetare | mechanic, machinist | |
| maskinist | machinist | |
| masmästare | smelting master | |
| materialförvaltare | store keeper | |
| matlagerska | female cook | |
| matmoder | housewife, mistress of a house | |
| matros | sailor, seaman | foremast man, tarry sailor, able seaman (1889) |
| mattbindare | mat maker, straw platter | |
| matvaruhandlare | provision merchant, deatler in provisions | |
| mejerska | dairy maid | |
| messingsslagare | brass smith, brazier | If you are researching an ancestor who worked as a smith, see: Smedskivan |
| messingssmed | brass smith | If you are researching an ancestor who worked as a smith, see: Smedskivan |
| metallarbetare | metal worker | |
| metallgjutare | brass founder, brazier | |
| mildsoldat | militiaman | |
| mineralgrävare | miner | |
| minister | government minister | |
| minuthandlare | retailer | |
| minör | miner (1889) | |
| mjölhandlare | flour merchant | |
| mjölkarrendator | tenant dairy farmer | |
| mjölkförsäljare | milkman | |
| mjölkförsäljerska | milkwoman | |
| mjölkhustru | milkwoman | |
| mjölkpiga | milkmaid, dairymaid | |
| mjöldräng | miller's man | |
| mjölnare | miller | |
| mjölnarhustru | millers wife | |
| mjölnerska | miller woman | |
| modehandlare | dealer in fancy goods | |
| modesömmerska | milliner (1889) | a person who designs, makes, trims, or sells women's hats |
| modist | milliner | a person who designs, makes, trims, or sells women's hats |
| murare | mason | bricklayer, stone mason |
| muraregesäll | journeyman mason | |
| murarelärling | masons apprentice | |
| murarmästare | master mason | |
| mureriarbetare | bricklayer | |
| murerihandtlangare | hodman | a bricklayer's or mason's laborer who carries bricks, mortar, cement and the like in a hod |
| musketerare | musketeer | |
| målare | painter, artist | |
| målargesäll | journeyman painter | |
| målarmästare | master painter | |
| månads karl | a male worker with a 1 month contract | |
| månglerska | market woman | could be a variety of goods like, vegetables, fruits, or fish |
| månglare | retailer, dealer of goods like vegetable, fruit, or fish | |
| mältare | maltman, maltster | |
| mästare | master | |
| mästergesäll | master journeyman | |
| möbelhandlare | dealer in furniture | |
| möbelmakare | cabinet maker | |
| möbelsnickare | cabinet maker | |
| mölnare (1829) | see mjölnare | |
| mönsterherre | (military) muster master | |
| mönsterskrivare | (military) muster clerk | keeping record of the military muster rolls |
| mössmakare | cap maker | |
| nattman | night man | |
| nattvaktare | night watchman | |
| nipperhandlare | milliner, toyman (1829) | |
| nipphandlerska | dealer in fancy articles (1889) | |
| nybyggare | settler | or colonizer |
| nålmakare | needle maker | |
| nämdeman , nm., nman | juror | kind of juryman/lay judge |
| näringsidkare | tradesman | |
| nätbindare | net maker | |
| officer | officer | |
| okulist | oculist | could be for glasses, or eye doctor |
| ombudsman | attorney, proctor | |
| opperstyrman | captain's mate | |
| organist | organist | |
| orgelbyggare | organ builder | |
| orgelnist | organist | |
| orgelspelare | organ player | |
| orgeltrampare | organ blower | |
| osthandlare | cheese dealer, cheesemongers shop | |
| ostronhandlare | oysterman, dealer of oysters | |
| oxhandlare | cattle dealer | |
| oxslagtare | beef butcher | |
| packhusinspektor | pack officer | |
| packhuskarl | packer | |
| pansarsmed | armourer | |
| pantaregare | owner of a pawn | |
| pantgivare | mortgager | |
| papparbetare | paste board worker | |
| pappersfabrikör | paper maker | |
| pappershandlare | stationer, paper man, paper merchant | |
| pappersskärare | paper cutter | |
| pappmakare | cardboard | |
| parfymfabrikant | perfume manufacturer, perfume maker | |
| parfymhandlare | perfumer, perfume dealer | |
| parmmätare | hay measurer | |
| pastor | parish minister, pastor | also known as kyrkoherde and prost |
| pastor et prepositus, p. et. p. | (latin) parish priest | |
| pastorsadjunkt | stipendiary curate | clergyman receiving pay |
| pelshandlare | furrier | |
| pennberedare | pen dispenser | |
| pensionsföreståndare | master of a boarding school | |
| perukmakare | wig maker | |
| p. et. P. | (latin) abbreviation: pastor et prepositus | parish priest |
| piga | maid, maiden, servant girl, female farmhand | |
| pipare | piper | |
| pipsmed | see bössmed | |
| piskmakare | whip makeer | |
| plogsmed | plough wright | |
| plymmakare | feather maker | |
| plåtslagare | black smith, worker in sheet iron | If you are researching an ancestor who worked as a smith, see: Smedskivan |
| porterbryggare | brewer of dark ale | |
| possessionat | Owner of a manor, usually not of a nobility background | |
| postförare | mail driver | |
| postmästare | postmaster | |
| predikant | preacher, sermoner, sermonizer | |
| prest | priest, parson, minister, clergyman (1829) | |
| principal | employer, master | |
| profoss | flogmaster (military) | |
| prost | dean, sub dean (1829) | |
| provinsialläkare | district physician, country doctor | |
| präst | minister | |
| pungmakare | pouch maker | |
| rackare | deputy executioner, flayer, dog and cat killer | in other contexts it can mean rascal, villain |
| reesig | (military) | |
| regementsknekt | (military) | |
| repslagare | rope maker | |
| resandefolk | itinerant, or migratory people | |
| resepredikant | itinerant preacher | |
| riddare | knight | |
| ridlärare | riding master | |
| roddare | rower, boatsman, oar's man | |
| rorgängare | helmsman, steersman | |
| roteman | assistant overseer | in cities it can mean alderman of a city ward |
| rotemästare | see rotmästare | |
| rotesoldat | (military) soldier for a district in a parish | |
| rotmästare | (military) leader | it can also mean chief equipper of a soldier |
| ruggare | worker in textile manufacturing | |
| rusthållare | farm owner providing a cavalry soldier and horse and equipment to the army | a voluntary agreement, in exchange for tax breaks, and not having to provide for a "rote" soldier |
| ryttare | (military) cavalryman | |
| ryttmästare | captain of a cavalry | |
| rådbisittare | city councilman | member of the city council whose job was to oversee the guilds in a city. See the Rådbisittare |
| rådman | councilman | |
| rättare | overseer (1829) | |
| Sacri Ministerii adjunctus, S.M. adj., S.M.A. | (latin) assistant priest | |
| Sacri Ministerii Candidat | (latin) priest in training | |
| sadelmakare | saddle maker, leather worker | |
| salthandlare | dealer of salt, saltman | |
| saltmätare | person who measures salt | |
| saltpetersjudare/salpetersjudare | a boiler or producer of saltpeter | see Saltpetersjudare |
| satinvävare | satin weaver | |
| saxmakare | maker of scissors, shears, snuffers | |
| segelmakare | sail maker | |
| segelsömmare | sail maker | |
| sejlare | cord maker | |
| sergeant | sergeant | |
| sexmän | type of parish law enforcement | See Sexmän |
| silkhandlare | silk merchant | |
| sillpackare | herring packer | |
| sjöman | sailor, seaman | |
| skarprättare | executioner, hangman | |
| skarpskytt | (military) sharpshooter | |
| skattebonde | ||
| skatteindrivare | tax collector | |
| skeppare | skipper | |
| skeppsbyggmästare | master ship builder | |
| skeppsgosse | ship boy | |
| skoarbetare | shoe maker | |
| skogshuggare | wood cutter, lumberer | |
| skogvaktare | forester | |
| skollärare | schoolteacher | |
| skomakare | shoemaker | |
| skomakaregesäll | journeyman shoemaker | |
| skomakaremästare | master shoemaker | |
| skråmästare | master of a guild | |
| skräddare, skrädkarl | tailor | |
| skräddaregesäll | journeyman tailor | |
| skräddarelärling | tailor's apprentice | |
| skulptör | sculptor | |
| skutskeppare | master of a billy boy, hoyman | |
| skådespelare | stage player, actor | |
| skärslippare | tool, or scissor grinder (sharpener) | |
| skördeman | harvestman, harvester, reaper | |
| sköterska | nurse | |
| slaktardräng | butcher's man | |
| slaktare | meat cutter, butcher | |
| S.M. Adj., S.M., S.M.A. | see Sacri Ministerii adjunctus | |
| S.M.C., S.M. Cand. | see Sacri Ministeri Candidat | |
| smed | smith, blacksmith, forger, hammerer | If you are researching an ancestor who worked as a smith, see: Smedskivan |
| smedsgesäll | journeyman smith | If you are researching an ancestor who worked as a smith, see: Smedskivan |
| smedsmästare | master smith | If you are researching an ancestor who worked as a smith, see: Smedskivan |
| småkrämare | dealer in small wares | |
| smältare | smelter, melter, fuser | |
| smältarsmed | shingler | |
| smörhandlare | butterman, butter merchant | |
| snickare | joiner, cabinetmaker | |
| snickarmästare | master jointer | |
| snörmakare | fringemaker, loopmaker, lacemaker | |
| sockenpräst | parish priest, parson (1829) | |
| sockenskrivare | parish clerk, vestry clerk | |
| sockerbagare | confectioner, pastry cook | |
| sockerbruksarbetare | sugar refiner (workman) | |
| soldat | soldier | |
| speditör | forwarding shipping agent | agent who receives goods for a firm, who sends the goods to another for a fee |
| spetshandlare | dealer in lace, lace merchant | |
| spetsknypplerska | female lace maker | |
| spiksmed | nailer, person who makes nails | |
| spinnare | spinner | |
| spinnerska | female spinner, spinstress | |
| spinnhushjon | inmate of a house of correction | it was common to send women who broke the law to a spinnhus to serve their time |
| stadsfogde | town bailiff | |
| stadskamrer | town clerk | |
| stadsläkare | physician to the town, town doctor | |
| statare, statsdräng | see statkarl | |
| statkarl | farm hand | farm worker receiving wages partly in provisions (1889) |
| statman | statesman | |
| statsfru | lady of state | |
| stenarbetare | stone worker | |
| stenbrytare | quarrier, quarryman | |
| stenhuggare | stonecutter | |
| stenkolsarbetare | collier | one who produces charcoal, or coal miner |
| stickerska | knitter, woman who knits | |
| strykerska | laundress, ironing woman | |
| strängmakare | string maker | |
| studerande | student | |
| styckgjutare | gun founder | |
| styckjunkare | (military) artillery staff sergeant | see fanjunkare |
| styresman | governor, head, chief leader, manager, director | |
| styrman | (military) steersman | helmsman, steerer, navigator, pilot |
| stålarbetare | steel worker | |
| stålsmed | steel smith | |
| stålmångelska | stall woman | |
| sutor | (latin) shoemaker | see skomakare |
| svamphandlare | dealer in sponges, sponge merchant (1889) | |
| svarvare | turner (1829, as in Lathe turning ) | |
| svärdfejare | sword cutler, blade smith, armourer | |
| symamsell | seamstress | |
| sågställare | saw setter | |
| sämskmakare | see garvare | |
| sättare | type setter, or (military) rammer | |
| taktäckare | roofer | |
| tandläkare | dentist, tooth drawer (1889) | |
| tapetserare | upholsterer, or wall paper hanger | |
| tappare | tapster, bottler (1889) | tapster is another title for bartender |
| tattare | gipsy (1829) | |
| taxeringsman | assessor | |
| tegelformare | brick moulder | |
| tegelbrännare | brickmaker, tiler | |
| tegelslagare | brickmoulder, tiler | see tegelslagare |
| tegeltäckare | tiler | |
| tehandlare | dealer in tea, tea dealer | |
| tenngjutare | pewterer, tinman, tin smith | If you are researching an ancestor who worked as a smith, see: Smedskivan |
| tiggare | beggar | |
| timmerhuggare | timber cutter | |
| timmerman | carpenter, builder | |
| tingsskrivare | copyist of court cases | |
| tjuv | thief | |
| tjänare | servant | also means domestic, menial worker, or attendant |
| tjänstehjon | servant, menial work | see tjänare |
| tobakshandlare | tobacco merchant | |
| tobaksspinnare | tobacco spinner | |
| tolvman | se nämdeman | |
| tornväktare | tower watch | |
| torpare | cottager, tenant farmer, peasant | This term can have different meanings according to where you are in the country. In southern Sweden it means a farmer who is dependent on another farm (like a tenant farmer.) In northern Sweden it is more likely that the torpare owned his little farm. |
| tresserska | braider, plaiter | |
| trikotstickerska | tricot knitter, | a woman who knits tricot fabric |
| trummare | drummer | |
| tryckare | printer, pressman | |
| trädgårdsmästare | gardener | |
| tullbetjänt | customs officer | |
| tulltjänsteman | customs officer | |
| tullvaktmästare | landing waiter | |
| tunnbindare | barrelmaker, cooper | |
| tunnelarbetare | tunneller | |
| tvättare | male launderer, washerman | |
| tvätterska | washerwoman | |
| tvättgumma | washerwoman | |
| tältmakare | tent maker | |
| ullfärgare | wool dyer | |
| ullhandlare | wool merchant, trader in wool | |
| underlöjtnant | sub lieutenant | |
| underofficer | non comissioned officer | |
| underståtthållare | sub governor, deputy sheriff | |
| urmakare | watch and clockmaker | |
| vagnmakare | cartwright, carriage maker | |
| vagnmästare | wagon master | |
| vaktare | keeper, warder, guard, watcher | |
| vaktmästare | caretaker | |
| vallflicka | shepherd girl, girl tending cattle, shepherdess | |
| valkare | fuller, miller | |
| vallhjon | a person tending cattle in the field | |
| vandrare | wanderer, rambler, stroller, tramper | |
| vapendragare | squire, esquire | |
| vedhuggare | wood cutter | |
| vice häradshövding | see häradshövding | |
| vicepastor | curate | a clergyman in charge of a parish, or an assistant to the clergyman in charge of a parish |
| vinodlare | wine grower | |
| vårdarinna | nurse | |
| väglagare | repairer of roads | |
| vävare | weaver | |
| vävskedbindare | weaver's comb binder | also spelled as Skedbindare or skibindare. See pictures at: [1] (click through pictures). |
| yllehandlare | dealer of woolen cloth, woolman | |
| yrke | occupation, profession | |
| yrkesidkare | trader | |
| yrkesman | craftsman | |
| åbo | tenant farmer with conditional, inherited lease | |
| ålderman | head man of a company, headmaster (1829), ålderman (1889) | Another use of the title was the headmaster of a guild. See Ålderman |
| ämbetsman | government official, crown officer | |
| överbefalhavare | commander in chief | |
| överkonstapel | (military) corporal | |
| överståthållare | governor | |
| ölbryggare | beer brewer |
References
- Anderson, Kent & Anderö, Henrik, Ordbok för släktforskare, ICA Bokfölag, Västerås 2006
- Björkman, Carl Gustaf, Svensk engelsk ordbok, P.A. Norstedt & Söner, Stockhholm 1889. Available as a PDF for free through Google Books at Svensk engelsk ordbok
- Deleen, Carl, Swedish and English Pocket Dictionarey, N.M. Lindh, Örebro 1829. Available as a PDF for free through Google Books at Swedish and English Pocket Dictionary
- Widegren, Gustaf, Svenskt och Engelskt Lexicon, Johan A. Carlbohm, Stockholm 1788. Available as a PDF for free through Google Books at Svenskt och Engelsk Lexicon
- Family History Dept, Genealogical Word List: Sweden, Salt Lake City, 1997
- Gernandt,C. E., Nordisk Familjebok, Halmstad, 1876 - 1899 (1st ed.): 1904 - 1926 (2nd ed.) published online through Projekt Runeberg , Feb. 2011 See Nordisk Familjebok
- Harlock, Walter E., Svensk - Engelsk Ordbok: Skolupplaga, P. A. Norstedt & Söner, Stockholm 1944