Historic cat breeds: journeys, cat shows, and legends

By the Keep & Paw editorial team · Updated October 8, 2026

A letter about long-haired cats, white Angoras preserved in Ankara, and a Maine Coon winning at Madison Square Garden each open a different chapter of cat history. Follow these breeds through travel, literature, exhibitions, and the people who helped bring them into American homes.

AI-generated illustration: a spotted silver shorthair cat sitting on warm stone among classical columns

AI-generated illustration, not a historical image.

For individual palace pets, visit royal cats. Our royal dog breeds guide follows canine companions at courts and in aristocratic households.

Siamese

The Tamra Maew, or Cat-Book Poems, manuscript is attributed to the Ayutthaya period, 1351–1767. In 1884, British consul-general Edward Blencowe Gould brought Pho and Mia to Britain; their kittens were shown at Crystal Palace in 1885.

Persian

The Cat Fanciers' Association, or CFA, says Pietro della Valle returned to Italy from Persia in 1626 with long-haired cats; other historians note that his 1620 letter only records his plan to bring them, and the cats are not mentioned again.

Persians appeared at the first Crystal Palace cat show in 1871 and were among CFA's founding breeds in 1906.

Turkish Angora

The Turkish Angora is a natural breed of Anatolia. Long-haired cats reached England and France from the late sixteenth century.

In the twentieth century, Ankara's Atatürk Forest Farm and Zoo preserved white Angoras.

Japanese Bobtail

The Japanese Bobtail attained CFA championship status in 1976. For the earlier cats in Emperor Uda's diary and Japan's silkworm-protection order, visit our royal cats guide.

Egyptian Mau

In 1953, Princess Natalie Troubetzkoy, living in Rome, obtained her first Mau — according to one account, with help from the Egyptian ambassador, who had the cat sent from Cairo. Her cats were shown in Rome in 1955. She emigrated to the United States in 1956 with three Maus.

According to CFA, the Egyptian Mau is the only naturally spotted domestic cat breed. For ancient cat sarcophagi and mummies, visit royal cats.

Abyssinian

A cat named Zula was brought to Britain in 1868 by Sir Robert Napier's expedition. Whether she was the first Abyssinian is disputed.

Genetic studies point to Southeast Asia and Europe as the breed's background.

Chartreux

The Chartreux was first mentioned in Joachim du Bellay's poem in 1558. Charles de Gaulle later had a Chartreux named Gris-Gris.

Maine Coon

On May 8, 1895, a Maine Coon named Cosey was named Best in Show at the first major North American cat show, at Madison Square Garden in New York.

The breed attained CFA championship status in 1976 and became Maine's official state cat in 1985.

Myths and misconceptions

Siamese cats belonged exclusively to royalty

The restriction is unsupported, and there is no evidence of an organized royal breeding program.

Egyptian Mau and Abyssinian cats prove ancient Egyptian descent

The Egyptian Mau's ancient link is not established by genetics. Genetic studies of the Abyssinian point to Southeast Asia and Europe. Neither a breed name nor resemblance to ancient cats proves a direct ancestral line.

Carthusian monks bred the Chartreux

The origin story is disputed. In 1972, the order said its archives contained no record of it.

Japanese Bobtail tails were cut by imperial order

The order released cats to protect silkworms; it did not call for tail cutting. The tail stories are folklore.

Marie Antoinette's cats founded the Maine Coon

This is a legend, with no demonstrated ancestral link to the royal cats.

FAQ

Which historic cat breed is the oldest?

These histories do not give a reliable ranking. A first written mention, an arrival in another country, and breed recognition mark different events.

What is the early written reference to the Chartreux?

The breed appears in Joachim du Bellay's poem from 1558.

Who brought Egyptian Maus to the United States?

Princess Natalie Troubetzkoy emigrated in 1956 with three Maus, after obtaining her first Mau while living in Rome in 1953.

Which Maine Coon won at Madison Square Garden?

Cosey was named Best in Show on May 8, 1895, at the first major North American cat show in New York.

Where do royal pets fit into this history?

Meet named palace pets in royal cats, or explore royal dog breeds for canine court favorites.

Sources

Want to keep your own pet's portrait? See how to turn a favorite photo into a canvas.