I first came across the Rawlinsons when I was researching Swarthmoor Hall and its People. Thomas Rawlinson, who became a Quaker managed Force Forge for the Fell sisters and later bought it from them. Richard Rawlinson appears as an agent in the vast indenture tripartite in which Daniel Abraham bought out the interest of all other members of the Fell family including Charles who had attained his majority in Swarthmoor Hall. Then there was Abigail Rawlinson of Lancaster, who married William Lindow after his return from Grenada. I then found out that all these people were connected to the same extensive and ramifying family.There are two main branches. One which I call the Graythwaite group from their eventual principal residence starting as far as I can see with Robert Rawlinson of Greenhead Gill and Colton Mill fl 1484. The other originated in Grizedale of which Thomas Rawlinson of Grizedale (will proved 1591) is the earliest for whom the surviving records give attestation.