The Ancient History Of Tabby Cats

The distinctive M-shaped marking on a tabby cat's forehead has its origins in the 14th century. The English term tabby originally referred to striped silk taffeta, derived from the Middle French atabis, which in turn came from the Arabic term ʿattābiyya, a reference to the Attabiya district of Baghdad, known for its striped cloth and silk. The term tabby cat came into use in the 1690s, and was shortened to tabby in 1774. The tabby pattern itself emerged in the Middle Ages and became common in the 18th century. It is thought that the pattern originated with the mackerel tabby, the natural coat pattern of the African wildcat, and that other patterns arose from selective breeding and mutations.

The word 'tabby' comes from the Arabic term 'Attabiya'

The word "tabby" to describe a type of cat with a distinctive coat pattern comes from the Arabic term 'Attabiya' (or 'Attābiyya'), referring to a neighbourhood in Baghdad where striped cloth and silk were made. The English word "tabby" dates back to the early 17th century, derived from the French word "tabis", which was used to describe a rich, watered, or striped silk taffeta. This, in turn, came from the Medieval Latin "attabi" and the Middle French "atabis" of the 14th century.

The Arabic term 'Attabiya' refers specifically to the Attabiya district of Baghdad, which was known for its production of striped cloth and silk. The neighbourhood was named after the Umayyad governor of Mecca, Attab ibn Asid. The silk produced in this region became highly sought-after throughout the Muslim world and eventually spread beyond, reaching England and other parts of Europe.

The resemblance between the distinctive patterns of striped or spotted markings on certain cats' fur and the waved or striped patterns on the silk led to the cats being called "tabby cats". Over time, the term "tabby" became commonly used in the English language, particularly during the 17th and 18th centuries, to describe these cats with unique coat patterns.

It is important to note that "tabby" does not refer to a specific breed of cat but rather describes a coat pattern characterised by stripes, whorls, and distinctive markings. This pattern can be found in various purebred and mixed-breed cats, making it a common feature among non-pedigree cats worldwide. The tabby pattern is inherently linked to the coats of the domestic cat's direct ancestors and close relatives, including the African wildcat, the European wildcat, and the Asiatic wildcat.

Tabby cats originated in ancient Egypt

Tabby cats, with their distinctive M-shaped marking on their forehead, are believed to have originated in ancient Egypt. The term "tabby cat" came into use in the 1690s, derived from the 14th-century Middle French word "atabis", which referred to striped cloth and silk from the Attabiy district in Baghdad. However, the distinct coat pattern of tabby cats can be traced back to ancient Egypt.

The tabby pattern is not limited to a specific breed but can be found in various cat breeds, including purebred and mixed-breed cats. It is a common coat pattern among non-pedigree cats worldwide. The pattern is connected to the coats of the African wildcat, the European wildcat, and the Asiatic wildcat, which are the domestic cat's direct ancestors and close relatives.

The distinct 'M' marking on a tabby's forehead is thought to stand for 'Mau', the Egyptian word for 'cat', or even the Virgin Mary or Mohammed, who was said to have loved tabby cats. The Egyptian Mau, an ancient Egyptian breed, is believed to be the modern descendant of the domestication of the African wildcat and typically bears the tabby pattern.

The tabby pattern is highly variable, with different patterns recognised, including the mackerel, classic, ticked, and spotted tabby. The mackerel tabby, also known as the tiger cat, features rings around the tail and legs and vertical stripes down the sides. The classic tabby, sometimes called the blotched tabby, has a bold swirling pattern that resembles a bullseye. Spotted tabbies have spots of varying sizes all over their bodies, while ticked tabbies, also known as Abyssinian tabbies, lack stripes or spots but have tabby markings on their faces and banded hairs.

The origin of the tabby cat can be traced back to ancient Egypt, where they were valued for their rodent-catching abilities and their friendly disposition towards humans.

The mackerel pattern is the natural coat pattern of the African wildcat

The mackerel tabby pattern is made up of thin vertical, gently curving stripes on the sides of the body. These stripes can be continuous or broken into bars and short segments or spots, especially on the flanks and stomach. Mackerel tabbies are also called 'tiger cats' or 'fishbone tabbies', probably named after the mackerel fish. Mackerels are the most common among tabbies.

The mackerel pattern is considered the "default" tabby pattern. Its gene is dominant, and if selective breeding of tabby cats were to suddenly stop, entire families of cats would revert to the mackerel pattern within a few generations. The mackerel pattern is also believed to be the original tabby coat pattern, likely originating from the African Wildcat, which has narrow, striped tabby patterns and spots.

The mackerel tabby pattern is highly recognisable due to the distinct "M" shape on the cat's forehead, which is coded into their DNA. This marking dates back to ancient Egypt, where it was once worshipped as sacred iconography. The "M" shape is also said to stand for Mau, the ancient Egyptian word for "cat".

Tabby cats are not a breed but a coat pattern

The tabby pattern is highly variable but typically includes distinctive "'M'-shaped markings on the forehead, stripes by the eyes, and swirling patterns on the body. The pattern can be found in various colours, including black, brown, orange, and grey. While the exact history of the tabby cat is challenging to determine due to its presence in numerous breeds, it is believed that the pattern emerged in the Middle Ages and became more common in the 18th century.

There are five distinct tabby patterns: classic, mackerel, ticked, spotted, and patched. The classic tabby pattern features bold, swirling markings that resemble a bullseye, while the mackerel tabby has thin vertical stripes and rings around the tail and legs. Ticked tabbies have tabby markings on the face and hairs with alternating light and dark bands. Spotted tabbies have spots or broken stripes, and patched tabbies have patches of dark brown, red, or orange with tabby patterns throughout.

The size and temperament of tabby cats vary depending on the specific breed. For example, a Maine Coon tabby will be much larger than a Singapura tabby. However, tabby enthusiasts describe friendly, curious, and outgoing personalities as common among tabbies.

There are five distinct tabby patterns

The classic tabby cat, also referred to as a blotched tabby, has a bold, swirling pattern that often includes a bullseye shape on each side of the body and an "M" on the forehead. This pattern is common among American Shorthair cats.

The mackerel tabby cat, also known as a tiger cat, features rings around the tail and legs, with narrow solid or broken stripes running vertically down the sides of the body. Mackerels are the most common among tabbies.

The ticked tabby cat, also known as an Abyssinian tabby or agouti tabby, does not have stripes or spots. Instead, it has tabby markings on the face and hairs striped with alternating light and dark bands, known as agouti hairs, on the body.

The spotted tabby cat has large or small spots all over its body, sometimes appearing as broken mackerel stripes. This pattern can be found in the Australian Mist, Bengal, Serengeti, Savannah, Egyptian Mau, Arabian Mau, Maine Coon, and Ocicat breeds, among others.

The patched tabby cat, often referred to as a tortoiseshell or "tortie", has dark or greyish-brown and red or orange patches combined with any of the other tabby patterns. These cats are called "caliby" or "torbie" in cat fancy.

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