Hauffiopteryx is an extinct genus of ichthyosaur known from Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Somerset of the United Kingdom.

[2] Hauffiopteryx is known from the lectotype GPIT 1491/4, articulated complete skeleton which preserved the skull and some soft tissues.

It was collected from the Harpoceras elegantulum-exaratum ammonoid subzones (more specifically Lias ε II4), Harpoceras falcifer zone, of the famous Posidonien-Schiefer lagerstätte (Posidonia Shale) of Holzmaden, dating to the early Toarcian stage of the Early Jurassic, about 182 million years ago.

[2] Additional materials were described by Hannah Caine and Michael J. Benton in 2011, from the early Toarcian of Strawberry Bank, Ilminster of England.

The generic name honors the Hauff family from Holzmaden, for their generation-long work to increase the knowledge on the Posidonia Shale and its fauna, especially the ichthyosaurs, and pteryx (πτερυξ), Greek for "fin" or "wing".

Part of the borders of the external nares are formed by the prefrontals (paired bones situated on the upper edges of the eye sockets).

A further difference between the two species lies in the shape of their lacrimals; in H. typicus, they are triradiate, while those of H. altera are massive and triangular.

[1] Behind the orbits, the skull is short from front to back, with the cheek region deflected so that it faces backwards.

The rear face basioccipital (braincase bone to which the vertebral column attaches) bears a considerable amount of surface which is not involved in the joint between the skull and the spine.

[1] The scapulae (shoulder blades) of Hauffiopteryx have wide lower ends due to their front margins extending forwards.

The thin femora (thighbones) each bear a strong site for the articulation of the fibula (rear shin bone).