The concept of a table specifically used for either putting down one's cup or serving hot drinks goes back in Britain to around the 1750's.
Tea drinking was at the height of fashion (arguably still is) and there was increasing demand for tea tables.
Other forms of tables that were in use at this time which could be placed near to a sofa were called occasional tables, end tables, and centre tables. It's thought that the term 'coffee table' came to prominence as that drink rose in popularity.
The first coffee tables appeared during the Victorian era. The coffee table being low invites a casual style of drinking which makes it hard to understand how Victorians took to this given their reputation for formality.
