Meshchersky

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Meshchersky is a princely family recognized by the Russian empire. Its origin is from medieval independent rulers of the Meschera tribe.

This family was, somewhat artificially, grouped in documentation together with Tatar princely families of Russian empire. The neighboring Tatar kingdom had subjugated lords of the Meshchera tribe under its suzerainty, and some of them had converted to islam and bore muslim-like first names; but soon under Russian subjugation, their next generations converted to eastern orthodox creed and used Slavic baptismal names. The family was listed in the first part of the Registers of the Nobility of Russia that became formal in 19th century at latest.

The famed book "Notice sur les principales familles de la Russie" does not mention the Meshchersky family at all, and it has been attributed to the author's, prince Pyotr Dolgorukov's known animosity towards Meshcherskys, a revenge.

They had properties particularly in Ukraine, for unknown reasons. Examples of their lands: Pokrovskoe, Petrovskoe, Lotoshino, and the Vesholi-Podol palace in Poltava. The estate of Petrovskoye-Alabino, near Moscow, is currently claimed by Yevgeniy Meshchersky.

The second marriage of an elderly prince Alexander Vasilievich Meshchersky (died 1903) produced male child, prince Vyacheslav Alexandrovich (born 1898). His daughter from he first marriage, Natalia Meshcherskaya, became Duchess of Sasso-Ruffo.

Prince Vladimir Meshchersky (1839-1914), apparently the most famous member of this family, was a leading monarchist, publisher and notorious homosexual who is said to have had love affairs with two sons of the Czar. He was a friend of Tchaikovsky. He was involved in an incident with a bugle boy and the court case was quashed by the Czar. He was also an advisor to Nicholas II. His marriage with Countess Anna Shulgina was annulled and she remarried to a Count when she became pregnant to the Czar (Alexander II). She was Lady-in-Waiting to the last three Empresses and died in 1915, the year after her former husband Prince Meshchersky.