An English surname, Olds comes from the Middle English term ‘old’ referring to a younger versus older relation. The original German form would be ‘Alt’. Variations in spelling for Olds include Oldes, Olde and Old. In England the early Olds families were from Northampton region. Later the larger population of Olds were in Cornwall and Gloucestershire. There is a high population of Olds families in Ireland. Within the United States the states of Virginia, New York, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Texas, California, Oregon, Indiana, Kansas and Missouri have the greater Olds populations. Famous: Sharon Olds (poet), General Robin Olds (triple ace fighter pilot during World War II and Vietnam War), Frank Ellsworth Olds (founder of a manufacturing company for brass musical instruments) and Ransom E. Olds (early manufacturer of automobiles including the Oldsmobile).