Olds
A surname that usually began as a nickname for an older person, though it may also reflect shortened forms of older names like Auld.
The #4,627 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 40,254 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Olds is most likely a nickname surname built from Middle English old, meaning “old” or “elderly.” In some cases it may also be connected with the related northern form Auld, which has the same basic meaning. The final -s can be a patronymic or adjectival ending, or simply part of a later surname spelling.
History
Early records show forms such as le Old, and 19th-century surname writers grouped Olds with other age-based names like Young and Senior. The name is found in Britain and later in North America, where it survived as a relatively uncommon surname. Some writers also linked it with older occupational or status-based nicknames, but the age-based explanation is the clearest.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
19th-century surname compilers liked to point out the neat contrast between Olds and Young as paired “age” surnames.
From the historical record
“Okey, Okie.— Local; v. Oakey. Old, Ould, Oulds, Olds.— (i) Nick. * the old'; c£ Young, Senior, Youngman, Younghusband, &c. Thomas le Old, co. Soms^ t Edw. Ill : Kirbys Quests p. 189.”
— A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames (alternate scan)