[2][3] A common name derives from the type locality, Lake Cronin, an inland body of water in Western Australia.

It is endemic to the wheatbelt region, the few specimens being recorded at this locality and another 145 kilometres (90 miles) east at Peak Eleanora.

In 1982 he transferred the genus into Notechis, but explicitly excluded B. atriceps from consideration because its affinities were then so uncertain.

[4] In 2000, a phylogenetic analysis of Australian elapids rejected all previous taxonomic arrangements for this species, instead finding strong support for placement as a sister group to Hoplocephalus, within the "tiger snake lineage" comprising Notechis, Austrelaps, Tropidechis and Hoplocephalus.

[8] Bush, Brian (2017) "Additions to the description of Paroplocephalus atriceps (Serpentes: Elapidae) with a discussion on pupil shape in it and other Australian snakes."