Surname Rawls - Meaning and Origin

Unravelling My Ancestral Journey: Insights From iGENEA DNA Test on the Rawls Surname

The iGENEA DNA test I undertook has divulged remarkable information about my lineage and its correlation to the Rawls surname. Tracing back my genetic markers, the findings strongly signify a lineage rooted in Western Europe, pointing towards a Celtic origin. My matrilineal line, traced through mtDNA, connects back to Western Eurasia, whilst an autosomal DNA test indicated ethnic ties to Ireland, France, and Spain.

C. Rawls

Rawls: What does the surname Rawls mean?

The surname Rawls is believed to be of patronymic origin, meaning it was derived from the name or occupation of an ancestor. It is speculated to have derived from the medieval English personal name Raul or Raw, variations of the name Ralph, and the common English suffix "-s" denoting "son of." Thus, Rawls could mean "son of Raul or Raw." In Old Norse, Raul or Raw meant "wolf counsel," so Rawls could also indirectly mean "son of the one who gives counsel like a wolf." Surnames of patronymic origin usually were formed by adding a diminutive suffix to the father’s name, and in this case, the diminutive "-s" was added to Raw or Raul. This surname is prevalent in the United States and the United Kingdom. However, its meaning could vary in different cultures and languages, and this definition primarily pertains to its English context.

Rawls: Where does the name Rawls come from?

The surname Rawls is most present in the United States today. It is borne by African-American, White, and Native American families, and is of uncertain origin. It may be related to the Old English word rawle, meaning a Red-Colored Horse, or it could be derived from the Welsh surname Rawleigh, which may refer to someone who hailed from the small town of Rawleigh.

In the US, most of the families who bear this name are concentrated in the southeastern states, with the highest concentration found in South Carolina. There is also a significant Rawls presence in the southern states of Georgia and Louisiana. In addition, the name is said to be relatively common in the mid-Atlantic states, particularly Maryland, where it has been reported as being concentrated in and around the Baltimore area.

The Rawls family is believed to have, at least in part, descended from Native American roots, as evidence of its presence in the US dates back to a time prior to European settlement. Furthermore, records indicate that many with the Rawls surname were among the first settlers in certain states. During the 19th century, the Rawls family even had their own established church in South Carolina.

Today, Rawls is a widely spread surname in the United States, with many descendants of the original family having made their way to different parts of the country, as well as having a presence in other countries.

Variations of the surname Rawls

Rawls is a surname derived from the Old English word “rawel” which means “throng” or “multitude.” The name became popularized in Scotland when the Rawel family were granted land in Galloway in the 11th century. Since then, the surname has spread across the world in many variations.

Rawls is the most common spelling for this surname. However, it can also be found spelled as Rawles, Rawl, Rawleson, Rowls, Rowlson, and Auger.

The inclusion of the letter “s” at the end of Rawls is thought to denote “son of” as in son of Rawl. In some cases, the letter “y” at the end of the spelling of Rawls can refer to “descendant of” and is thought to denote a certain region which the family was believed to be from.

Variants of Rawls may also include spellings such as Rawley, Rauley, or Rouleau. A common French variation is Roulson.

Surnames of similar origin to Rawls include Rowlston, Rawlings, Raulling, and Rampal. All of these surnames stem from the same Old English word, “rawel” which means “throng” or “multitude.”

Famous people with the name Rawls

• John Rawls, an American philosopher and a leading figure in moral and political philosophy, whose most famous work was "A Theory of Justice" published in 1971.
• Stephen Rawls, an American songwriter, singer and musician who composed the song 'Walking Close To Heaven'.
• Richard Rawls, an American cardiologist and executive at Marsh & McLennan Companies.
• Barbara Rawls, an American visual artist and designer best known for her work in decorative arts.
• Heather Rawls, an American film producer with credits on over 40 films.
• Shawn Rawls, an American visual effects supervisor and artist with credits on over 30 films and television shows.
• Clifford Rawls, Jr, an American musician, composer, and music producer.
• Albert Rawls, an American painter and sculptor known for his abstract, figurative and contemporary art.
• Robert Rawls, an American retired Major League Baseball pitcher.
• James Rawls, Jr., an American retired National Football League defensive end.
• William Rawls, an American musician, arranger and composer whose credits include the movie "Invincible".
• Mark Rawls, an American actor whose credits include the television shows "American Dreams" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer".
• Bob Rawls, an American filmmaker and director whose most notable credits include the films "Little Bigfoot 2" and "Steel Giant".
• Frank Rawls, Jr, an American country music artist whose first single “A Little Bit Of Sunshine” reached number 22 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart.
• Ed Rawls, an American NBA assistant coach.

Other surnames

RawlRawleRawlesRawleyRawlingsRawlston