'attic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'Attikos', where 'Attikos' meant 'of Attica'.

'attic' passed into Latin as 'Atticus' and into French as 'attique', and eventually entered English as 'attic', with senses extending from 'of Attica' to architectural and domestic meanings.

Initially it meant 'of Attica', but over time it evolved into architectural senses ('a low story above a building's cornice') and later into the domestic sense 'a room or space under the roof'.