Eleven ships of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Squirrel after the animal, while four more carried the name while serving as fishery protection vessels. Another was planned, but was renamed before being launched.
HMS Squirrel (1582) was a discovery vessel perennially commanded by explorer Sir Humphrey Gilbert, and lost with all hands in 1583.
HMS Squirrel (1704) was a 20-gun sixth rate launched in 1704. She was captured by the French in 1706 and renamed Ecureuil. She was retaken in 1708 but subsequently foundered.
HMS Squirrel (1707) was a 24-gun sixth rate launched in 1707. She was rebuilt in 1727 and was sold in 1749.
HMS Squirrel was to have been a 24-gun sixth rate. She was renamed HMS Alderney in 1742, and launched in 1743.
HMS Squirrel (1755) was a 20-gun sixth rate launched in 1755 and sold in 1784. Commercial interests purchased her and renamed her Union. She then became a Greenland whaler (1784-1790), a slaver (c.1790-1795), and then made two voyages for the British East India Company.
HMS Squirrel (1785) was a 24-gun sixth rate launched in 1785 and sold in 1817.