The genus was originally proposed by Czech mycologist Albert Pilát in 1941,[1] but this publication is invalid because a type species was not designated, contrary to the rules of botanical nomenclature.

[2] He published the genus validly in 1953 with two species: Truncospora oboensis, and the type, T. ochroleuca.

[3] Leif Ryvarden placed the genus in synonymy with Perenniporia in 1972,[4] but molecular studies have shown that Truncospora is distinct genetically, and comprises part of the "core polyporoid clade", a grouping of fungi roughly equivalent to the family Polyporaceae.

[5][6] The generic name Truncospora is derived from the Latin trunco ("I cut off") and the Ancient Greek σπορά ("spore").

[3][8] As of December 2023[update], Index Fungorum accepts the following species in the genus Truncospora: