Rawl

Rawl is a surname of English origin that appears in historical records dating to the medieval period. It is found in several English-speaking countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, and has persisted as a family name into modern times. The name is sometimes associated with place names or landholders, though precise origins vary among families and regions.

Etymology and origins are not fixed in a single narrative. As with many surnames, Rawl may derive from toponymic, occupational, or descriptive elements, and multiple lineages may have contributed to its adoption independently over centuries. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation have also varied, leading to related forms in different locales.

Notable people with the surname Rawl have appeared across fields such as politics, business, science, and the arts. The name does not point to a single dominant figure but rather to a dispersed set of individuals who have contributed in diverse ways.

Geographically, Rawl is used as a toponym for some places, typically named after local landholders or early settlers bearing the surname. Such places may be small communities, neighborhoods, or historic districts, and some names persist primarily in historical records or on older maps.

See also: The surname Rawl is distinct from similar names such as Rawls, which is more widely encountered in modern usage (for example, the philosopher John Rawls).