The author of the species, Dr Beverley Holloway, had by then long-retired from her position as an entomologist at DSIR, and the Dominion Museum before that.

She continued her studies as a hobby, finally publishing a major work on the Lucanidae of New Zealand, in which seven new endemic species of stag beetle were then described, including, G. servandus.

Referring to it as a "spectacular stag beetle", Dr Holloway expressed reluctance at having to reveal the type locality on Mount Tuhua in its formal scientific description for fear that both its population and its habitat might be destroyed by "overzealous New Zealand entomologists and foreign collectors".

The name servandus in Latin means "preserve, look after, conserve" and refers to the author's concern to see action taken to ensure its survival.

[2] Like other Geodorcus species, G. servandus is absolutely protected under Schedule 7 of The 1953 Wildlife Act, making it an offense to collect or harm a specimen.

[1] If this species was specifically searched for in the future, care would need to be taken to avoid damaging the small area of fragile habitat in its type location.