Norwegian Occupations
åbo - farmer
absolveafs. - discharged
adel - nobility
adeldam - lady, noblewoman
adelsman(n)d - nobleman
adjudant - adjutant
adjunkt - public school teacher
addling - nobleman
admiral - admiral
advokat - barrister, lawyer
afdelingschef - department head
afdragare - flayer, skinner
afdrifvare - refiner of metals
afskrifvare - copier, transcriber
aftaegtsfolk - retired people
aftaegtskone - retired woman
aftaegtsmand - pensioner (farm)
ägare - owner, landowner
agent - sales agent, sales rep for a company
agentur - sales agency
agerdyrker - farmer
agiotor - stockjobber
agricola (L) - farmer
agronom - agriculturist
äkare - carter, coachman
åkerbrukare - tiller of the soil
åkerman - husbandman
aktuarie - recorder, actuary, clerk, registrar
aktour - actor, performer, stage player
alderman - headmaster, alderman
åldgesäll - head journeyman
Almisselem - welfare recipient
almosehjon - almsman, pauper
amanuens - assistant
amma - vet
amme - nurse
amtmand, amtmann - county administrator
amtslaege - district doctor
andenlaerer - assistant teacher
andenstyrmand - second mate
anförare - leader, chief, commander,
captain, conductor
apotekare - chemist, druggist
apoteker - druggist, pharmacist
arbejdsmand, arbejder, arbetare - worker,
laborer
arbeterska - work woman
arbetshjon - journeyman
arbetskarl - laborer, journeyman
arkeolog - archaeologist
arkitekt - architect
arkivarie - recorder or records keeper
arklimästare - quarter gunner
arrendator - tenant farmer, leaseholder
arrestant - prisoner
artillerist - artilleryman, gunner
arvinge - heir
arvtagere - heirs
askblåssare - ash drawer
åsnedrifvare - ass driver
assessor - assistant judge
assistent - assistant (clerk)
auditor - judge of a regiment, military lawyer
auktionist - auctioneer
auktor, autor - author, writer
auskultant - assistant, hearer, listener,
auditor
avdelingssjef - department manager
avlsbruger - farmer
avskjed i nåde - retire
axplokare - gleaner in the fields
baadbygger - boat builder
baadfører - boatman (ferryman)
baadsmand - boatswain
badare - bagnio keeper, public bath keeper
badhustru - bathing woman in a public
house
bagare - baker
bager - baker (archaic)
bagermester - master baker
bagersvend - baker apprentice
bågskytt - archer, bowman
baker - baker
bakermester - master baker
bälgtrampare - bellows treader
bandväfvare - ribbon weaver
bangårdvaktare - watchman at railroad yard
banker - banker
bankmand - bank employee
banksjef - bank manager
bankfunksjonær - bank clerk
bärare - porter, bearer
barber - barber
bardscher - minstrel
barnlärare - teacher of children
barnmorska - midwife
barnpiga - nursery maid
baron - baron
bartender - bartender
båtsfånglina - painter
båtsman - boatswain or a petty officer on a
merchant ship
bebadare - announcer, advertiser, harbinger
beckbrännare - pitch burner
bedemand - undertaker
befalingsmand - officer (army)
befallningshafvande - commander, chief
befallningsman - bailiff, headman
beledsagare - companion, guard, attender
bergkunning - mineralogist
bergman - miner
bergmästare - mine master or foreman
bergråd - counselor of mines
bergsbo - mountaineer, highlander
bergsfogde - bailiff of mines
bergshaptman - supervisor of mines
bergsman - miner
berider - riding master
beslagkarl - excise man
betjent - servant, policeman
biavler - beekeeper
bibliotekar - librarian
bielkehugger - lumberjack
billedhugger - sculptor
billedskaerer - carver
birfilare - scraper, fiddler
birkedommer - district judge
bisittare - assessor, assistant judge
biskop, bisp - bishop
bissekraemmer - peddler
bleckslagare - tinsmith
blekare - bleacher
blikkenslager - tinsmith
blommist - florist
blonde, blønder - peasant, farmer
blystöpare - plumber, lead molder
bodbetjent - shopkeeper’s clerk
bøddel - executioner
boddräng - servant in a shop
bödel - executioner, hangman
bodflicka - shop maid
bodgosse - shopkeeper’s apprentice, shop
boy
bødker - cooper, barrel maker
boelsmand - cottager (small farmer)
boghandler - bookseller
bogholder, bogfører - bookkeeper
bogtrykker - printer
bokbinder, bokbindare - bookbinder
bokförare, bokhållare - bookkeeper, clerk
bokhandler - bookseller
boktryckare - printer
boktryckaregosse - printer’s apprentice
bonddräng - farmer’s man
bonde - peasant, farmer
bondelensmand - rural policeman
bønder - peasant, farmer
bondflicka - country girl
bondpiga - peasant maid
bondspelare - country fiddler
bondstand - peasantry, farmers
boneman - match maker
borgare, borger - freeman, resident of a
city who had permission to engage in a
profession or trade
borgermester - mayor
borgesman - bondsman
borgmästare, borgmester - mayor
borstbindare, børstenbinder - brush
maker
boskapshandlare - cattle dealer
boskapshjord - herdsman, herd of cattle
boskapsläkare - veterinarian
boskytt - gunner
bosmed - gunsmith
bøssemager, børsemager - gun maker
bostock - gun charger
botanist - botanist
braendehugger - wood cutter
braendevinsbraender - distiller
brandmand, brannmann - fireman
brannmester - fire company officer
brännvinsadvocat - reputable lawyer
brännvinsbrännare - distiller of brandy
brefbärare - postman
brodherre - employer
brofogde - surveyor of bridges
brofoged - bridge master
brolaegger - paver
brottare - wrestler
brottmålsdomare - sheriff, judge
brukar, bruker - 1) tiller, tenant farmer, 2)
user of a farm
brukere(are) - tenant farmer, leaseholder
bruksarbetare - foundaryman, millhand
brukspatron - proprietor of an iron works
brunnsmastare - master of the wells
brunnsrensare - cleanser of the wells
brygger - brewer
budbärare - messenger
budeie - milkmaid
buktalare - ventriloquist
bundtmager, bundtmakare - furrier
byfoged - town bailiff
byggmästare - contractor, builder
absolveafs. - discharged
adel - nobility
adeldam - lady, noblewoman
adelsman(n)d - nobleman
adjudant - adjutant
adjunkt - public school teacher
addling - nobleman
admiral - admiral
advokat - barrister, lawyer
afdelingschef - department head
afdragare - flayer, skinner
afdrifvare - refiner of metals
afskrifvare - copier, transcriber
aftaegtsfolk - retired people
aftaegtskone - retired woman
aftaegtsmand - pensioner (farm)
ägare - owner, landowner
agent - sales agent, sales rep for a company
agentur - sales agency
agerdyrker - farmer
agiotor - stockjobber
agricola (L) - farmer
agronom - agriculturist
äkare - carter, coachman
åkerbrukare - tiller of the soil
åkerman - husbandman
aktuarie - recorder, actuary, clerk, registrar
aktour - actor, performer, stage player
alderman - headmaster, alderman
åldgesäll - head journeyman
Almisselem - welfare recipient
almosehjon - almsman, pauper
amanuens - assistant
amma - vet
amme - nurse
amtmand, amtmann - county administrator
amtslaege - district doctor
andenlaerer - assistant teacher
andenstyrmand - second mate
anförare - leader, chief, commander,
captain, conductor
apotekare - chemist, druggist
apoteker - druggist, pharmacist
arbejdsmand, arbejder, arbetare - worker,
laborer
arbeterska - work woman
arbetshjon - journeyman
arbetskarl - laborer, journeyman
arkeolog - archaeologist
arkitekt - architect
arkivarie - recorder or records keeper
arklimästare - quarter gunner
arrendator - tenant farmer, leaseholder
arrestant - prisoner
artillerist - artilleryman, gunner
arvinge - heir
arvtagere - heirs
askblåssare - ash drawer
åsnedrifvare - ass driver
assessor - assistant judge
assistent - assistant (clerk)
auditor - judge of a regiment, military lawyer
auktionist - auctioneer
auktor, autor - author, writer
auskultant - assistant, hearer, listener,
auditor
avdelingssjef - department manager
avlsbruger - farmer
avskjed i nåde - retire
axplokare - gleaner in the fields
baadbygger - boat builder
baadfører - boatman (ferryman)
baadsmand - boatswain
badare - bagnio keeper, public bath keeper
badhustru - bathing woman in a public
house
bagare - baker
bager - baker (archaic)
bagermester - master baker
bagersvend - baker apprentice
bågskytt - archer, bowman
baker - baker
bakermester - master baker
bälgtrampare - bellows treader
bandväfvare - ribbon weaver
bangårdvaktare - watchman at railroad yard
banker - banker
bankmand - bank employee
banksjef - bank manager
bankfunksjonær - bank clerk
bärare - porter, bearer
barber - barber
bardscher - minstrel
barnlärare - teacher of children
barnmorska - midwife
barnpiga - nursery maid
baron - baron
bartender - bartender
båtsfånglina - painter
båtsman - boatswain or a petty officer on a
merchant ship
bebadare - announcer, advertiser, harbinger
beckbrännare - pitch burner
bedemand - undertaker
befalingsmand - officer (army)
befallningshafvande - commander, chief
befallningsman - bailiff, headman
beledsagare - companion, guard, attender
bergkunning - mineralogist
bergman - miner
bergmästare - mine master or foreman
bergråd - counselor of mines
bergsbo - mountaineer, highlander
bergsfogde - bailiff of mines
bergshaptman - supervisor of mines
bergsman - miner
berider - riding master
beslagkarl - excise man
betjent - servant, policeman
biavler - beekeeper
bibliotekar - librarian
bielkehugger - lumberjack
billedhugger - sculptor
billedskaerer - carver
birfilare - scraper, fiddler
birkedommer - district judge
bisittare - assessor, assistant judge
biskop, bisp - bishop
bissekraemmer - peddler
bleckslagare - tinsmith
blekare - bleacher
blikkenslager - tinsmith
blommist - florist
blonde, blønder - peasant, farmer
blystöpare - plumber, lead molder
bodbetjent - shopkeeper’s clerk
bøddel - executioner
boddräng - servant in a shop
bödel - executioner, hangman
bodflicka - shop maid
bodgosse - shopkeeper’s apprentice, shop
boy
bødker - cooper, barrel maker
boelsmand - cottager (small farmer)
boghandler - bookseller
bogholder, bogfører - bookkeeper
bogtrykker - printer
bokbinder, bokbindare - bookbinder
bokförare, bokhållare - bookkeeper, clerk
bokhandler - bookseller
boktryckare - printer
boktryckaregosse - printer’s apprentice
bonddräng - farmer’s man
bonde - peasant, farmer
bondelensmand - rural policeman
bønder - peasant, farmer
bondflicka - country girl
bondpiga - peasant maid
bondspelare - country fiddler
bondstand - peasantry, farmers
boneman - match maker
borgare, borger - freeman, resident of a
city who had permission to engage in a
profession or trade
borgermester - mayor
borgesman - bondsman
borgmästare, borgmester - mayor
borstbindare, børstenbinder - brush
maker
boskapshandlare - cattle dealer
boskapshjord - herdsman, herd of cattle
boskapsläkare - veterinarian
boskytt - gunner
bosmed - gunsmith
bøssemager, børsemager - gun maker
bostock - gun charger
botanist - botanist
braendehugger - wood cutter
braendevinsbraender - distiller
brandmand, brannmann - fireman
brannmester - fire company officer
brännvinsadvocat - reputable lawyer
brännvinsbrännare - distiller of brandy
brefbärare - postman
brodherre - employer
brofogde - surveyor of bridges
brofoged - bridge master
brolaegger - paver
brottare - wrestler
brottmålsdomare - sheriff, judge
brukar, bruker - 1) tiller, tenant farmer, 2)
user of a farm
brukere(are) - tenant farmer, leaseholder
bruksarbetare - foundaryman, millhand
brukspatron - proprietor of an iron works
brunnsmastare - master of the wells
brunnsrensare - cleanser of the wells
brygger - brewer
budbärare - messenger
budeie - milkmaid
buktalare - ventriloquist
bundtmager, bundtmakare - furrier
byfoged - town bailiff
byggmästare - contractor, builder
bygmester - master builder
bygningssnedker - joiner
byman - villager
byskriver - town clerk
dannekvinde - gentlewoman
dannemand - gentleman
degn - parish clerk
dimmitert - discharged from military service
direktør - manager, director
distriktsjef - district manager, docent reader
(UK), associate professor (US)
doktor - medical doctor
dommer - judge
domprost - cathedral dean
dragon - dragoon, light infantryman
dreng - 1) young male servant, 2) boy
dyrlege - veterinarian
ekspeditør - clerk, shop assistant
embetsmann - senior civil servant or clergy
member
emigrant - emigrant
fange - prisoner
farger - dyer
farmasøyt - pharmacist
farver - dyer
fenrik - ensign (1700's), second lieutenant
(modern)
fisker - fisherman
fogd - bailiff, bailiwick (archaic)
foreldreløs - orphan
forettningsmann - shopowner
forfatter - author
formann - foreman, supervisor
formynder - guardian
forpakter - tenant farmer, one who leases
the right to cultivate a farm
forvalter - manager
fotograf - photographer
fremmed - 1) stranger, foreigner, 2) foreign
frivillig - volunteer
fullmektig - head clerk, agent
gartner - gardener
garver - tanner
gjestgiver - innkeeper
gjeter - herdsman
grenader - infantryman
greve - count
grevinne - countess
grossist - wholesaler
grubearbeider - miner
gymnasiast - student in senior high school
gårdbruker - farmer
gårdeier - farm owner
handelsbetjent - shop assistant
handelsmann - merchant, trader
hattemaker - hatmaker
hjulmaker - wheelwright
husar - cavalryman
hussar - cavalryman
husbonde - male head of household on a
farm
hushjelp - housemaid
husholderske - housekeeper
with or without a small plot of land on a
larger farm. Rent was paid by doing part time
work for the farmer
husmor - housewife
håndverkssvenn - journeyman
inderste - lodger on a farm
ingeniør - engineer
innerst - lodger on a farm
jeger - 1) hunter, 2) light infantry soldier
jordmor - midwife
journalist - journalist
jur. dr. LL.D., - Doctor of laws
jurist - lawyer
kadett - cadet (army), midshipman (navy)
kapellan - curate, cleric who assists the
priest, deacon
kaptein - captain
kirurg - surgeon
kjøpmann - merchant, shopkeeper
klokker - parish clerk/church bell ringer
kokk - cook
kollega - colleague
kompanjon - business partner
konduktør - railway conductor
konge - king
konsulent - consultant
korporal - corporal
krigsfange - prisoner of war
ltn. abbreviation for "løytnant" - lieutenant
landsfogd - county police commissioner
legdslem - welfare recipient
leieboer - tenant
leier - tenant
leilending - lease holder, tenant farmer
leilænding - lease holder, tenant farmer
(archaic)
lensmann - sheriff, rural police officer
lever av - occupation, source of income
los - ship's pilot
logerende - lodger (archaic)
losjerende - lodger (archaic)
losjerende, hører til fam. - lodger who is
related to the family
lærar - male teacher
lærarinne - female teacher
læregutt - apprentice
lærer - male teacher
lærerinne - female teacher
lærling - apprentice
løitnant - lieutenant
løsarbeider - day laborer, wageworker that
would work at different times at different
farms, i.e. helping with the harvest in the fall,
cutting wood in the winter, and planting etc.
in the spring
løytnant - lieutenant
magistrat - town administrator
major - major
maler - painter
maskinist - engineer
matros - sailor
med. dr. M.D., - Doctor of Medicine
medeier - partner/joint owner
medhjelper - assistant
mekaniker - mechanic
menig - soldier with rank of private
mester - master of a trade (certified as such
by a guild)
murer - mason, bricklayer
musiker - musician
møbelsnekker - furniture maker
møller - miller
næringsvei - occupation, trade
oberst - colonel
offentlig - public, official
ombudsman - trade-union representative
ordfører - mayor
pastor - vicar, minister
pensionist - pensioner
politimann - police officer
politiker - politician
postmester - postmaster
preses - president, chairman
prest - priest, clergyman
prost - senior priest who supervised the
priests in the subparishes
præst - priest (archaic)
rektor - headmaster, school principal
revisor - auditor
ridder - knight
rytter - cavalryman
rådmann - councilman
sagbrukseier - sawmill owner
sagmester - master sawmiller
sakfører - attorney
selveier - farmer who owns his own farm,
i.e., does not lease it
sersjant - sergeant
sjef - chief
sjøkaptein - captain of a vessel
sjømann - seaman, sailor
sjåfør - driver
skibsfører - captain of a ship (archaic)
skipper - skipper, master mariner
skoleholder - schoolmaster
skolemester - schoolmaster
skredder - tailor
slakter - butcher
smed - blacksmith
snedker - carpenter (archaic).
snekker - carpenter, cabinetmaker
snædker - carpenter (archaic).
sogn - subparish
sogneprest - subparish priest
sokneprest - subparish priest (archaich)
soldat - soldier
sorenskriver - magistrate, probate judge
statsminister - prime minister
styrmann - ships mate
svenn - apprentice
syerske - seamstress
sypige - seamstress
sypike - seamstress
sølveigar - farmer who owns his own farm,
i.e., does not lease it
tambur - drummer (military)
tannlege - dentist
tigger - beggar
tjener - servant
tjenestedreng - young male servant
tjenestefolk - servants
tjenestegutt - young male servant
tjenestekarl - male servant
tjenestejente - young female servant, maid
tjenestepige - young female servant, maid
tollbetjent - customs agent
tømmermann - carpenter, framer
urmaker - watch-maker
veterinær - veterinary surgeon, veterinarian
(US)
vever - weaver
vognmaker - wagon maker
bygningssnedker - joiner
byman - villager
byskriver - town clerk
dannekvinde - gentlewoman
dannemand - gentleman
degn - parish clerk
dimmitert - discharged from military service
direktør - manager, director
distriktsjef - district manager, docent reader
(UK), associate professor (US)
doktor - medical doctor
dommer - judge
domprost - cathedral dean
dragon - dragoon, light infantryman
dreng - 1) young male servant, 2) boy
dyrlege - veterinarian
ekspeditør - clerk, shop assistant
embetsmann - senior civil servant or clergy
member
emigrant - emigrant
fange - prisoner
farger - dyer
farmasøyt - pharmacist
farver - dyer
fenrik - ensign (1700's), second lieutenant
(modern)
fisker - fisherman
fogd - bailiff, bailiwick (archaic)
foreldreløs - orphan
forettningsmann - shopowner
forfatter - author
formann - foreman, supervisor
formynder - guardian
forpakter - tenant farmer, one who leases
the right to cultivate a farm
forvalter - manager
fotograf - photographer
fremmed - 1) stranger, foreigner, 2) foreign
frivillig - volunteer
fullmektig - head clerk, agent
gartner - gardener
garver - tanner
gjestgiver - innkeeper
gjeter - herdsman
grenader - infantryman
greve - count
grevinne - countess
grossist - wholesaler
grubearbeider - miner
gymnasiast - student in senior high school
gårdbruker - farmer
gårdeier - farm owner
handelsbetjent - shop assistant
handelsmann - merchant, trader
hattemaker - hatmaker
hjulmaker - wheelwright
husar - cavalryman
hussar - cavalryman
husbonde - male head of household on a
farm
hushjelp - housemaid
husholderske - housekeeper
with or without a small plot of land on a
larger farm. Rent was paid by doing part time
work for the farmer
husmor - housewife
håndverkssvenn - journeyman
inderste - lodger on a farm
ingeniør - engineer
innerst - lodger on a farm
jeger - 1) hunter, 2) light infantry soldier
jordmor - midwife
journalist - journalist
jur. dr. LL.D., - Doctor of laws
jurist - lawyer
kadett - cadet (army), midshipman (navy)
kapellan - curate, cleric who assists the
priest, deacon
kaptein - captain
kirurg - surgeon
kjøpmann - merchant, shopkeeper
klokker - parish clerk/church bell ringer
kokk - cook
kollega - colleague
kompanjon - business partner
konduktør - railway conductor
konge - king
konsulent - consultant
korporal - corporal
krigsfange - prisoner of war
ltn. abbreviation for "løytnant" - lieutenant
landsfogd - county police commissioner
legdslem - welfare recipient
leieboer - tenant
leier - tenant
leilending - lease holder, tenant farmer
leilænding - lease holder, tenant farmer
(archaic)
lensmann - sheriff, rural police officer
lever av - occupation, source of income
los - ship's pilot
logerende - lodger (archaic)
losjerende - lodger (archaic)
losjerende, hører til fam. - lodger who is
related to the family
lærar - male teacher
lærarinne - female teacher
læregutt - apprentice
lærer - male teacher
lærerinne - female teacher
lærling - apprentice
løitnant - lieutenant
løsarbeider - day laborer, wageworker that
would work at different times at different
farms, i.e. helping with the harvest in the fall,
cutting wood in the winter, and planting etc.
in the spring
løytnant - lieutenant
magistrat - town administrator
major - major
maler - painter
maskinist - engineer
matros - sailor
med. dr. M.D., - Doctor of Medicine
medeier - partner/joint owner
medhjelper - assistant
mekaniker - mechanic
menig - soldier with rank of private
mester - master of a trade (certified as such
by a guild)
murer - mason, bricklayer
musiker - musician
møbelsnekker - furniture maker
møller - miller
næringsvei - occupation, trade
oberst - colonel
offentlig - public, official
ombudsman - trade-union representative
ordfører - mayor
pastor - vicar, minister
pensionist - pensioner
politimann - police officer
politiker - politician
postmester - postmaster
preses - president, chairman
prest - priest, clergyman
prost - senior priest who supervised the
priests in the subparishes
præst - priest (archaic)
rektor - headmaster, school principal
revisor - auditor
ridder - knight
rytter - cavalryman
rådmann - councilman
sagbrukseier - sawmill owner
sagmester - master sawmiller
sakfører - attorney
selveier - farmer who owns his own farm,
i.e., does not lease it
sersjant - sergeant
sjef - chief
sjøkaptein - captain of a vessel
sjømann - seaman, sailor
sjåfør - driver
skibsfører - captain of a ship (archaic)
skipper - skipper, master mariner
skoleholder - schoolmaster
skolemester - schoolmaster
skredder - tailor
slakter - butcher
smed - blacksmith
snedker - carpenter (archaic).
snekker - carpenter, cabinetmaker
snædker - carpenter (archaic).
sogn - subparish
sogneprest - subparish priest
sokneprest - subparish priest (archaich)
soldat - soldier
sorenskriver - magistrate, probate judge
statsminister - prime minister
styrmann - ships mate
svenn - apprentice
syerske - seamstress
sypige - seamstress
sypike - seamstress
sølveigar - farmer who owns his own farm,
i.e., does not lease it
tambur - drummer (military)
tannlege - dentist
tigger - beggar
tjener - servant
tjenestedreng - young male servant
tjenestefolk - servants
tjenestegutt - young male servant
tjenestekarl - male servant
tjenestejente - young female servant, maid
tjenestepige - young female servant, maid
tollbetjent - customs agent
tømmermann - carpenter, framer
urmaker - watch-maker
veterinær - veterinary surgeon, veterinarian
(US)
vever - weaver
vognmaker - wagon maker