For a long time, the four species of Calciphilopteris were included in the polyphyletic genus Doryopteris.

Molecular phylogenetic studies have shown that Calciphilopteris is the most basal clade in the subfamily Cheilanthoideae.

[1] The generic name is said to be derived from the Greek calx (limestone), philus (loving), and pteris (fern).

[1] Kalx can not be found in ancient Greek,[2] however calx is the Latin word for "limestone",[3] possibly derived from ancient Greek chalix (χάλιξ) or derived from a word from a different Mediterranean language.

[2] As of January 2020[update], the Checklist of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World recognized the following species:[5]