This is an overview of Dutch occupations with their English translations.
| Dutch term | English translation |
|---|---|
| Advocaat | Lawyer |
| Apotheker | Pharmacist |
| Arbeider | Laborer |
| Arbeidster | Laborer (female) |
| Arts | Doctor |
| Bakker | Baker |
| Boekbinder | Bookbinder |
| Boer | Farmer |
| Boerenwerk doende | Doing farmwork |
| Brouwer | Brewer |
| Bouwman, bouman | Farmer |
| Burgemeester | Mayor |
| Chirurgijn | Barber |
| Dagloner, daglooner | Day laborer |
| Dagloonster | Day laborer (female) |
| Dienstknecht | Hired hand |
| Dienstmeid | Maid |
| Fabrieksarbeider | Factory worker |
| Fabrikant | Manufacturer |
| Fotograaf | Photographer |
| Goudsmid | Goldsmith |
| Huisarts | Doctor |
| Jager | Hunter |
| Jurist | Lawyer |
| Kapper | Hairdresser |
| Kleermaker | Taylor |
| Klompenmaker | Woodenshoemaker |
| Koopman | Merchant |
| Knecht | Hired hand |
| Kuiper | Cooper |
| Landbouwer | Farmer |
| Landbouwersche | Farmer (female) |
| Landbouwersknecht | Farmer’s hand |
| Landbouwster | Farmer (female) |
| Leerlooier | Tanner |
| Loodgieter | Plumber |
| Metselaar | Bricklayer |
| Meubelmaker | Furniture maker |
| Mijnwerker | Mine worker |
| Militair | Soldier (generic, someone in the military) |
| Molenaar | Miller |
| Naaister | Seamstress |
| Pottenbakker | Potter |
| Rechter | Judge |
| Schilder | Painter |
| Schoenmaker | Shoemaker |
| Schoolmeester | Teacher |
| Slager | Butcher |
| Smid | Blacksmith |
| Soldaat | Soldier |
| Stoelenmaker | Chair maker |
| Timmerman | Carpenter |
| Veldwachter | Constable |
| Visser | Fisherman |
| Weefster | Weaver (female) |
| Wever, weever | Weaver |
| Zeeman | Sailor |
| Zilversmid | Silversmith |
About Yvette Hoitink
Good place to get occupations list. Keep up the good work! – From a fellow with Dutch ancestors,
what would the English translation be for loopknecht? Thanks M
That would be a runner or errand boy.
I found a record for a Dutch ancestor of mine with an occupation, “Herbergier”. What is a Herbergier and does his nickname, “tapper” relate to that? Thank you!
A herbergier is an innkeeper, so definitely related to tapper (tapster).
How about voorsanger?
One of my ancestor’s occupation is listed as olislagersknecht in a Dutch marriage record. But the literal translation – oil butcher’s servant (or helper) — does not make sense to me. Can you help provide a better translation?
https://www.allegroningers.nl/zoeken-op-naam/persons?ss=%7B%22q%22:%22Harmen%20Rijploeg%22%7D
An olieslager is an oil miller, someone who works in an oil mill. I have scheduled an article about that for next Monday.
Thank you! I am looking forward to your posting on Monday!