It was named after zoologist William Louis Abbott.

Formerly, the western grey gibbon and northern grey gibbon (H. funereus) were considered conspecific with the southern grey gibbon (H. muelleri), but more recent studies indicate that all three are distinct species, and both the IUCN Red List and the American Society of Mammalogists consider them such.

It is found north of the Kapuas River and ranges as far east as Spaoh.

[1] This species is thought to be endangered due to heavy deforestation in Borneo, as well as increases in forest fires exacerbated by El Niño events.

It is also threatened by illegal hunting and capture for the pet trade.