Tawney is a surname that refers to:

• C. H. Tawney (1837–1922), English educator and translator
• Cyril Tawney (1930–2005), English singer and songwriter
• James Albertus Tawney (1855–1919), American politician from Minnesota; U.S. representative 1893–1911
• Lenore Tawney (1907–2007), American fiber artist
• R. H. Tawney (1880–1962), English writer, economist, and historian