HMS Lizard was a member of the standardized 20-gun sixth rates built at the end of the 17th century.

She was commissioned for service in the East Indies, then Mediterranean, followed by Home Waters in the Irish Sea.

[2] She was ordered in the Fourth Batch of four ships from Sheerness Dockyard to be built under the guidance of their Master Shipwright, Robert Shortiss.

[3] She was commissioned on 29 March 1697 under the command of Captain William Johnson, RN for service in the Channel.

On 14 July 1704 she had a new commander, Captain George Fane, RN and assigned to Home Waters.