[2] The special characteristics include the dispersed openings of coxal glands of the last pair of legs.

The genus Lithobius was erected in 1814 by William Elford Leach, in an article published in David Brewster's Edinburgh Encyclopædia.

[1] The name derives from two Greek roots, λίθος (lithos, "stone") and βίος (bio-, "life").

[3] Leach did not designate a type species, and none was selected until Pierre André Latreille chose Scolopendra forficata Linnaeus, 1758 (now Lithobius forficatus).

Some authors divide the genus into subgenera Eulithobius, Lithobius, Monotarsobius, Neolithobius, Pleurolithobius, Pseudolithobius, Sigibius, Thracolithobius and Troglolithobius.