Livery Companies
There are over 100 Livery Companies in London. In 2011 the Mercers' Company undertook a Livery Profile Survey and produced a summary. It gives membership statistics and an overview of charitable giving and areas in which the Livery Companies are active. It has an introduction from Alderman Michael Bear (Lord Mayor of the City of London 2010-2011) stating how important, but little trumpeted, the Livery companies' contribution to society is. Click here to see the survey summary.
Livery companies are governed by a master (known in some companies as the prime warden), a number of wardens (who may be known as the upper, middle, lower, or renter wardens), and a court of assistants, which elects the master and wardens. The chief operating officer of the company is known as the clerk.
Members generally fall into two categories: freemen and liverymen. One may become a freeman, or acquire the "freedom of the company", upon fulfilling the company's criteria: traditionally, one may be admitted by "patrimony", if either parent was a liveryman of the company; by "servitude", if one has served as an apprentice in the trade for the requisite number of years; or by "redemption", if one pays a fee. The company may also vote to admit individuals as honorary freemen. Freemen generally advance to becoming liverymen by a vote of the court of the company. Historically, only liverymen could take part in the election of the Lord Mayor of the City of London, the sheriffs, and the other traditional officers of the City.
List of Livery Companies, in order of precedence
| 1. The Worshipful Company of Mercers (General Merchants) | View website |
| 2. The Worshipful Company of Grocers | View website |
| 3. The Worshipful Company of Drapers (Wool and cloth merchants) | View website |
| 4. The Worshipful Company of Fishmongers | View website |
| 5. The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths | View website |
| 6. The Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors (Tailors) (alternates with the Skinners) | View website |
| 7. The Worshipful Company of Skinners (Fur Traders) (alternates with the Merchant Taylors) | View website |
| 8. The Worshipful Company of Haberdashers | View website |
| 9. The Worshipful Company of Salters | View website |
| 10. The Worshipful Company of Ironmongers | View website |
| 11. The Worshipful Company of Vintners (Wine merchants) | View website |
| 12. The Worshipful Company of Clothworkers | View website |
| 13. The Worshipful Company of Dyers | View website |
| 14. The Worshipful Company of Brewers | View website |
| 15. The Worshipful Company of Leathersellers | View website |
| 16. The Worshipful Company of Pewterers | View website |
| 17. The Worshipful Company of Barbers (Barbers, Surgeons, and Dentists) | View website |
| 18. The Worshipful Company of Cutlers | View website |
| 19. The Worshipful Company of Bakers | View website |
| 20. The Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers | View website |
| 21. The Worshipful Company of Tallow Chandlers | View website |
| 22. The Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers (Armour Makers and Brass Workers) | View website |
| 23. The Worshipful Company of Girdlers (Sword Belt and Dress Belt Makers) | |
| 24. The Worshipful Company of Butchers | View website |
| 25. The Worshipful Company of Saddlers | View website |
| 26. The Worshipful Company of Carpenters | View website |
| 27. The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers (Fine Leather Workers) | View website |
| 28. The Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers | View website |
| 29. The Worshipful Company of Curriers (Tanned Leather Dressers) | View website |
| 30. The Worshipful Company of Masons | View website |
| 31. The Worshipful Company of Plumbers | View website |
| 32. The Worshipful Company of Innholders | View website |
| 33. The Worshipful Company of Founders (Metal workers) | View website |
| 34. The Worshipful Company of Poulters | View website |
| 35. The Worshipful Company of Cooks | View website |
| 36. The Worshipful Company of Coopers (Barrel Makers) | View website |
| 37. The Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers | View website |
| 38. The Worshipful Company of Bowyers (Longbow Makers) | View website |
| 39. The Worshipful Company of Fletchers (Arrow Makers) | View website |
| 40. The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths | View website |
| 41. The Worshipful Company of Joiners and Ceilers (Wood Craftsmen) | View website |
| 42. The Worshipful Company of Weavers | View website |
| 43. The Worshipful Company of Woolmen | View website |
| 44. The Worshipful Company of Scriveners (Court Document Writers and Notaries Public) | View website |
| 45. The Worshipful Company of Fruiterers | View website |
| 46. The Worshipful Company of Plaisterers (Plasterers) | View website |
| 47. The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers | View website |
| 48. The Worshipful Company of Broderers (Embroiders) | View website |
| 49. The Worshipful Company of Upholders (Upholsterers) | View website |
| 50. The Worshipful Company of Musicians | View website |
| 51. The Worshipful Company of Turners (Lathe Operators) | View website |
| 52. The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers | View website |
| 53. The Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass | View website |
| 54. The Worshipful Company of Horners | View website |
| 55. The Worshipful Company of Farriers (Horseshoe Makers and Veterinarians for Horses) | View website |
| 56. The Worshipful Company of Paviors (Road and Highway Pavers) | View website |
| 57. The Worshipful Company of Loriners (Harness Makers) | View website |
| 58. The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries (Medical Practitioners and Pharmacists) | View website |
| 59. The Worshipful Company of Shipwrights | View website |
| 60. The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers | View website |
| 61. The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers | View website |
| 62. The Worshipful Company of Glovers | |
| 63. The Worshipful Company of Feltmakers (Hat Makers) | View website |
| 64. The Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters | View website |
| 65. The Worshipful Company of Needlemakers | |
| 66. The Worshipful Company of Gardeners | View website |
| 67. The Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers | View website |
| 68. The Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights | View website |
| 69. The Worshipful Company of Distillers | View website |
| 70. The Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers (Wooden Shoe Makers) | View website |
| 71. The Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers | |
| 72. The Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers | View website |
| 73. The Worshipful Company of Gunmakers | View website |
| 74. The Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers | View website |
| 75. The Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards | View website |
| 76. The Worshipful Company of Fanmakers | View website |
| 77. The Worshipful Company of Carmen | View website |
| The Modern Livery Companies ... | |
| 78. The Honourable Company of Master Mariners | View website |
| 79. The City of London Solicitors' Company | View website |
| 80. The Worshipful Company of Farmers | |
| 81. The Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators | View website |
| 82. The Worshipful Company of Tobacco Pipe Makers and Tobacco Blenders | View website |
| 83. The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers | View website |
| 84. The Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers | View website |
| 85. The Worshipful Company of Chartered Surveyors | View website |
| 86. The Worshipful Company of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales | View website |
| 87. The Worshipful Company of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators | View website |
| 88. The Worshipful Company of Builders Merchants | View website |
| 89. The Worshipful Company of Launderers | |
| 90. The Worshipful Company of Marketors | View website |
| 91. The Worshipful Company of Actuaries | |
| 92. The Worshipful Company of Insurers | View website |
| 93. The Worshipful Company of Arbitrators | View website |
| 94. The Worshipful Company of Engineers | View website |
| 95. The Worshipful Company of Fuellers | View website |
| 96. The Worshipful Company of Lightmongers | View website |
| 97. The Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners | View website |
| 98. The Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects | View website |
| 99. The Worshipful Company of Constructors | View website |
| 100. The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists | View website |
| 101. The Worshipful Company of World Traders | View website |
| 102. The Worshipful Company of Water Conservators | View website |
| 103. The Worshipful Company of Firefighters | View website |
| 104. The Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers | |
| 105. The Worshipful Company of Management Consultants | |
| 106. The Worshipful Company of International Bankers | View website |
| 107. The Worshipful Company of Tax Advisers | View website |
| 108. The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals | View website |
