Occupations in the Renaissance were extremely diverse, and were often quite specialized, particularly in large cities. A Master of a craft would often have a number of Journeymen and apprentices all working in the same shop, similar to a miniature factory. The families of the shop often participated in the businesses either directly or in support roles. The following is a list of examples of these businesses. In the terms of the period, the title of the occupation was associated with the Master or long-term Journeymen of the craft, for example: Johan Weiter, the Brewer. Apprentices were often used as servants and could change Masters and even crafts once they had fulfilled their contracts. For example, an apprentice might be called Paul Schwab, the Brewers apprentice, or Paul Schwab, Johan Weiter's apprentice. Most crafts fell under a rigid guild structure which was regulated by strict laws governing each trade. Normally, only the Master of the shop was considered a guild member. Some guilds allowed female members, and there were even female Guildmasters. Some guilds allowed female members at various points in time depending on the economy. Since guilds were often independent entities in each city, who they allowed as members, and the guild laws governing the trade could vary somewhat from city to city. Not all of the following occupations had Guilds associated with them. Work which relied on things that were harvested from the land and service work were excluded from the guild structure for the most part.
The following is a list of occupations with German names if known: Acrobat - Akrobat
Actor - Schauspieler
Animal Trainer - Dogs, Horses - Dresseur Circus - Dompteur
Apothecary/Pharmacist - Apotecker makes drugs, fills prescriptions, sells sweets
Architect - Architekt
Armor Worker - Panzermacher
Armorer - Blatner
Artist - Künstler
Astronomer - Astronomus
Bag Maker - Beutler
Baker - Beck, modern Bäcker
Barber-Surgeon - Balbierer
Basin Maker - Beckschlager
Basket Maker - Korbmacher, Korbflechter
Bathhouse Proprietor - Bader
Bead Maker - Glasperlenmacher
Beekeeper - Imker
Beggar/Pilgrim - Bettler/Jacobsbruder
Bell Maker - Schellenmacher
Bellfounder - Glockengiesser - makes large bells, cannons, and gun barrels
Belt Maker - Gürtler
Bishop - Bischoff
Blacksmith - Schmidt
Block Cutter - Formschneider
Boatman - Bootsmann
Book Printer - Buchdrucker
Bookbinder - Buchbinder
Bow Maker - Bogenmacher
Brewer - Bierbreuwer, Bierbrauer, Brauer, Bräuer
Brickmaker - Ziegler
Brush Maker - Bürstenbinder
Butcher - Metzger, Fleischer, Schlachter - the one who kills the animals
Butler - Haushofmeister (for the King's residences) Haushälter (normal folk)
Cabinet Maker - Schreiner, Schrankmacher
Cardinal - Cardinal, Kardinal
Carpenter - Zimmermann
Chamberlain - Kammerherr, Kämmerer
Chambermaid - Zimmermädchen
Charcoal Burner - Köhler
Chimneysweep - Schornsteinfeger
Clerk - Schreiber
Clockmaker - Uhrmacher
Cloth Shearer - Thuchschärer, Tuchscherer
Coach Driver - Kutscher
Cobbler - Flickschuster, Schuhmacher
Comb Maker - Kammacher, Kammhersteller
Constable - Gendarm
Cook - Koch
Cooper - Bütner makes barrels and buckets, Böttcher -- makes barrels,. or Küfer -- makes wine barrels
Coppersmith - Kupfferschmidt, Kupferschmied, Gürtler
Courtesan - Kurtisane
Crossbow Maker - Pogner
Cutler - Messerschmidt, Messerschmied
Dancer - Tänzer
Dentist - Zanbrecher, Zahnarzt
Draftsman - Keiffer, Zeichner
Draper - Tuchhändler
Dreyer -
Drover - Treiber
Dyer - Schwartzferber, Färber
Embalmer/Mortician - Einbalsamierer
Embroiderer - Seydensticker, Stickerin (woman)
Emperor/Holy Roman Emperor - Keyser, Kaiser, der heilige römsiche Kaiser, Seine kaiserliche Majestät (to talk about to him or about him)
Engineer - Ingenieur
Farmer - food crop, meat,orchards,flax,- Bauwer, Bauer - dairy - Meier, vineyards - Weinbauer; Küfer
Fisherman - Fischer
Fool - Narr
Foundry worker - Gießer
Furrier - Kürschner
Gambling House Proprietor - Spielhallen-Besitzer
Gardner - Gärtner
Gem Cutter - Steinschneider, Edelsteinschleifer, Gemmenschneider
Glass Painter - Glasmaler
Glassblower - Glasbläser
Glazier - Glasser, Glaser
Gold Leaf Maker - Goltschlager, Blattgoldschläger
Goldsmith - Goldtschmid, Goldschmied
Gravedigger - Totengräber
Grinder - Schleyffer, Schleifer
Guard - Wächter
Gunsmith - Buchsenschmidt, Büchsenschmied
Hatter - Hüter, Hutmacher
Hunter - Jäger, Weydmann - hunts fowl with a gun
Huntsman - Jäger
Illuminator - Brieffmaler
Inkmaker - Tintenmacher, Tintenhersteller
Innkeeper - Wirt woman innkeeper - Wirtin
Instrument maker - Instrumentenmacher
Jester - Schalcksnarr, Narr, Schalksnarr
Joiner - Schreiner
Judge - Richter
Juggler - Jongleur
King - König
Knitter - Stricker, female knitter - Strickerin
Lacemaker - Klöpplerin (female bobbin lace maker)
Lanternmaker - Laternmacher, Laternenmacher
Laundress - Wäscherin
Lawyer - Procurator
Locksmith - Schlosser
Luthier- Lautenmacher Mapmaker - Kartograph
Merchant - Food, Drink, Cloth, General Goods, Precious Stones/Jewelry - Kauffmann, Kaufmann, Händler
Metalworker - Kotschmidt
Midwife - Hebamme
Miller - grain/foods - Müller
Miner - Bergmann, Bergknapp
Minter - Münzmeister, Coinstamper - Münzer
Mirror Maker - Spiegler
Monk - Münch, Mönch
Musician - Musiker; Spielmann (Gypsy) Harp - Harpffen, Harfner Lute - Lauten, Lautner Organist - Organist Kettle Drummer - heertrummel Drummer - Trommler Wind instrument Player - Pfeiffer, String Player - Geiger
Nail Maker - Nagler
Needlemaker - Nadler
Net Maker - Netzer
Nobleman - Gentelon, Edelmann, Adliger
Nurse - Krankenschwester
Oil Maker - Ölmacher
Painter - Handmaler, Maler
Papermaker - Papyrer, Papiermacher
Parchment Maker - Permennter, Pergamentenmacher, Pergamenthersteller
Pastor - Pfarrer
Peddler - Krämer, Hausierer
Pewterer - Kandelgiesser, Zinnngießer
Physician- Doctor, Arzt
Pinmaker - Hefftelmacher
Playwright - Schauspieldichter
Poet - Dichter, Poet
Pope - Bapft,Papst
Potter - Hafner, Töpfer
Priest - Pfaffe (derrogatory in modern use), Priester, Pfarrer
Prince - Fürst
Printer - Drucker
Procuress - Kupplerin
Professor - Professor
Public House Proprietor - Wirt, Kneipenwirt, Kneipenbesitzer
Quarryworker - Steinbrucharbeiter, Steinmetz (who makes tombstones)
Reliquary Maker - Reliquien-Hersteller, Reliquien-macher.
Rifle Butt Maker - Büchsenschäffter, Büchsenschäfter
Robber - Räuber
Ropemaker - Seyler, Seiler
Rugmaker - Teppichmacher, Teppichknüpfer
Saddler - Sattler
Sailmaker - Segelmacher
Sailor - Matrose
Scale Maker - Wagleinmacher, Waagenmacher
Scholar - Gelehrter
Scientist - Wissenschaftler
Scribe - Schreiber
Sculptor - Bildhauwer, Bildhauer, Steinmetz
Scythe Maker -Sensenschmidt, Sensenschmied
Sea Captain - Schiffmann, Kapitän
Seamstress - Näherin
Servant/Maid - House - Hausdiener, Housemaid - Hausmädchen., Kennels, Mews, Stables - Diener
Shepherd - Hirte
Sieve Maker - Sieber
Silversmith - Silberschmied
Singer - Singer, Sänger
Soldier - Soldat
Spectacles Maker - Brillenmacher
Spinner - Spinner, female - Spinnerin
Spur Maker - Sporer
Stevedore - Stauer
Steward -Gutsuerwalter
Stonemason - Steynmetz, Stienmetz
Street Sweep - Stassenkehrer
Tailor - Schneider
Tanner - Läderer, Gerber
Tapestry Weaver - Teppichmacher
Teacher - Lehrer
Teamster - Fuhrmann
Thief - Dieb
Thimble Maker - Fingerhüter, Fingerhutmacher
Thong Maker - Nestler
Tinker - Pfuscher
Toolmaker - Circkelschmidt, Zirkelschmied, Gerätemacher
Trapper - Fallensteller
Turner - Holzbrechtzler
Typefounder - Schrifftgieffer, Schriftgießer
Vintner - Weinbauer
Wagonwright - Wagner
Weaver - Weber
Whore - Hure
Whore House Proprietor - Hurenhaus-Besitzer, Kuppler(in), Zuhälter(in)
Wigmaker - Perückenmacher
Wire Drawer - Dratzieher, Drahtzieher
Woodcarver - Holzschnitzer
Woodcutter - Holzfäller
Woodsman - Förster
Writer - Schreiber
Many of these occupations were gleaned from the Book of Trades by Jost Amman. Others are from occupations shown in woodcuts and paintings, and a few are obvious through our knowledge of pre-industrial living. This is not to be considered a complete list, but it does contain examples of civilian occupations. - J. Adams