Halieutopsis margaretae was first formally described in 2007 by the Taiwanese ichthyologists Ho "Hans" Hsuan-Ching and Shao Kwang-Tsao with the type locality given as eastern Taiwan, off Su-ao in the western North Pacific at, 24°29.00'N, 122°12.80'E from a depth of between 445 and 1,185 m (1,460 and 3,888 ft).

[3] The family Ogcocephalidae is classified in the monotypic suborder Ogcocephaloidei within the order Lophiiformes, the anglerfishes in the 5th edition of Fishes of the World.

The specific name honours the American ichthyologist Margaret G. Bradbury of San Francisco State University, recognising her very important contribution to the study of deep sea batfishes.

It is distinguished from other Halieutopsis species by the having bifurcate dermal spines on its upper surface; the upper surface the body part of the disc created by the flattened head and body is covered with complex tubercles.

[6] Halieutopsis margaretae is found in the northern Western Pacific Ocean with specimens being collected from offJapan, Taiwan and Vanuatu.