The actual history of the Abyssinian cat is unknown, but it was first recorded in England in 1871.

It is believed that the Abyssinian is one of the oldest known breeds. The Abyssinian appears to resemble the paintings and sculptures of the ancient Egyptian cat, however there is no proof that it actually is.

Others believe the Aby was brought from Ethiopia formerly Abyssinia, back to Great Britain in about 1868 by sailors. You can also find a cat fitting the description of an Abyssinian in a book by Gordon Stables published in 1874. In the book he says that this cat was brought from Ethiopia. There is no other written record. And others think it is just as possible that the breed was developed in England.

Recent genetic studies show that the most probable origin is the coast of the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia. Some zoologists have pointed out a strong resemblance to the small African wild cat (F.caffra), a small ticked cat with the facial patterns of the Abyssinian.

It is know that the first Abyssinian was imported to North America from England  the early 1900s. Around 1938 several top quality Abys were exported from Britain and these have helped form the foundation of today's Aby breeding programs.

It wasn’t until the 1950's that the Abyssinian gained it’s popularity and today is one of the most popular short hair breeds.