The holotype specimen, MJML K874, consists of the anterior part of an individual missing the end of the tail, preserved in dorsal view.

[2][3] In 2019, Underwood & Claeson described Kimmerobatis etchesi as a new genus and species of rays in the extinct family Spathobatidae based on these fossil remains.

The generic name, Kimmerobatis, combines a reference to the type locality near Kimmeridge with the Greek βατίς (batís), meaning "ray" or "skate".

[2] In their 2025 description of Apolithabatis, Türtscher et al. (2025) used more thorough analyses to test the phylogenetic relationships of Kimmerobatis and other rays from the Solnhofen Archipelago.

They found support for the assignment of these taxa to a basal clade of other Jurassic European batomorphs outside of the crown group, which they named Apolithabatiformes.