There is an exhaustive list of medieval occupations at:
www.geocities.com/sinistraltyger/SCA/med_occupation.htmlI'm not positive, but I believe there are more than 1,400 occupations listed which could be used to create some interesting backgrounds...
To give you an idea of what is there, below are the occupations starting with the letter "A"
Abbot/Abbess Man in charge of monastary, woman in charge of a convent before 12th century
Acater Supplied food provisions, e.g. A ships chandler
Accomptant Accountant 15th century
Accoucheur Assisted women in childbirth Fr. (male) 1759
Accoucheus Assisted women in childbirth Fr. (female) 1759
Accoutre Supplier of military accessories 1596
Accountant Bookkeeper 15th century
Accoutrement Maker Supplier of military accessories 1549
Ackerman Ploughman, an oxherder
Acreman Ploughman, an oxherder
Actuary Kept public accounts of business; clerk/registrar 1553
Administrator Directed the affairs of another 15th century
Advertisement Conveyancer Sandwich board man; or a person who provided public notice of deed transferal 15th cent/1650
Advocate Depute Scottish law officer who could act a public prosecutor
Advowee Normally a nobleman, who had the right to present a clergyman to a benefice
Aeronaut Balloonist or a trapeze artist in the circus or music halls; one who operated an air balloon 1784
Affeeror Official in the manorial courts who assessed the monetary penalty and also collected taxes and dues and were also called Assessor
Agister Official of the Royal Forests or in the New Forest; one in charge of the ponies
Ailmaker
Alabasterer Worked with alabaster 14th century
Alblastere Crossbow man 14th century
Alchemist Medieval chemist who claimed to be able to turn base metals into gold 15th century
Alderman Senior councillor one position down from Mayor in the local council before 12th century
Ale Draper Seller of ale; a draper was a cloth dealer and also dry goods. plausible? 14th century
Ale Founder Official who tested quality and measure of ale served in public houses; established quality of ale 14th century
Ale Taster Tested ale and beer for quality. Appointed by the Manor and forerunner of the Inspector for Weights & Measures first recorded: 1377 in London
Ale Tunner Employed by the brewery to fill ale casks (tuns} with ale
Ale-Conner Official who tested quality and measure of ale served in public houses
Alewife Woman who keeps an alehouse or tavern 15th century
Alewyfe Woman who keeps an alehouse or tavern 15th century
All Spice Name for a grocer
Almanac Man Official appointed by the Court of Sewers who warned the inhabitants of the Trent River area of higher than normal tides (almanac) 14th century
Almoner Gave out alms or charity to the poor on behalf of the parish 15th century
Almsman Received alms before 12th century
Alnager Official who examined the quality of woolen goods and stamped them with the town seal of approval
Amanuensis Secretary or stenographer 1619
Amber & Jet Cutter Cut and polished amber for jewelry 14th/15th centuries
Amber Cutter Cut ambergris 14th/15th centuries
Ambler Officer of the Royal Stable who broke in horses 14th century
Amen Man Parish clerk
Anchor Smith Made anchors
Anchoress Female hermit or religious recluse 14th century
Anchorite Male hermit or religious recluse 15th century
Angle Iron Smith Made angle iron ie. Flat iron bars bent at right angles lengthways
Anilepman Smallholder (tenant of the manor)
Ankle Beater Young person who helped to drive the cattle to market
Annatto Maker Worked in the manufacture of reddish yellow dyes for paint or printing 1629
Antigropelos Maker Made waterproof leggings
Anvil Smith Made anvils and hammers for blacksmiths
Apiarian (Apiarist) Beekeeper 1801
Apothecary Prepared and sold medicines or drugs; pharmacist 14th century
Apparitor Official who summoned witnesses in the ecclesiastical courts; official formerly sent to carry out the orders of a magistrate, judge, or court 15th century
Apprentice Was bound to a skilled worker for a specified time to learn a trade 14th century
Aproneer Term used in London for a shopkeeper
Apronman Mechanic
Aquarius Waterman; water carrier Latin before 12th century
Aquavita Seller Sold alcohol (Medieval Latin aqua vitae) before 15th century?
Archer a person who uses a bow and arrow 14th century
Archiator Physician
Archil Maker Made a violet dye from lichens, used in the textile industry 15th century
Architect a person who designs buildings and advises in their construction; Master builder 1563
Arkwright Skilled craftsman who produced arks (wooden chests or coffers)
Armourer Made suits of armour or plates of armour for buildings or ships etc 14th century
Artificer Highly respected skilled or artistic worker or craftsman or one that makes or contrives 14th century
Assay Master Determined the amount of gold or silver to go in coins 14th/15th century
Assayer Determined the proportions of metal in ore 14th century
Astrologer 14th century
Attendent one who attends another to perform a service 15th century
Auger Maker Made any of various tools or devices having a helical shaft or member that are used for boring holes (as in wood, earth, or ice) or moving loose material. before 12th century
Aulnager See Alnager
Aurifaber Goldsmith
Avenator Hay and Forage Merchant
Avowry Term for the lord of the manor
Axel Tree Maker Made axels for coaches and wagons
Axel Tree Turner Made axels for coaches and wagons
