Its first creation was during the period of military dictatorship and centralisation in the Kingdom of Hungary following the Hungarian Revolution of 1848, existing from 13 September 1850[1] until the restoration of the traditional counties of Hungry in October 1860.

The southern half stayed in Hungary as the county Abaúj-Torna, with capital Szikszó.

Following the provisions of the First Vienna Award, most of the Czechoslovak part was returned to Hungary in November 1938.

In 1900, the county had a population of 196,462 people and was composed of the following linguistic communities:[2] Total: According to the census of 1900, the county was composed of the following religious communities:[3] Total: In 1910, the county had a population of 202,288 people and was composed of the following linguistic communities:[4] Total: According to the census of 1910, the county was composed of the following religious communities:[5] Total: In 1941: 203,438 Hungarians, 18,879 Slovaks, 2581 Bunjevacs, 904 Germans, 623 Roma, 256 Ruthenians, 72 Romanians, 3 Croatians, 105 other; 140,377 Roman Catholics, 45,384 Protestants, 22,476 Greek Catholics, 14,764 Jewish, 4773 Evangelicals, 339 Greek Orthodox, 116 Baptists and 55 Unitarians.

In the early 20th century, the subdivisions of Abaúj-Torna were: The towns Füzér, Szikszó, Gönc and Abaújszántó are now in Hungary.