Monarchy of Mecklenburg
State
Grand ducal coat of arms of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Frederick Francis IV of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Details
Style	His Royal Highness
First monarch	Niklot
Last monarch	Frederick Francis IV, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Formation	1130
Abolition	1918
Appointer	Hereditary
Pretender(s)	Borwin, Duke of Mecklenburg

This list of dukes and grand dukes of Mecklenburg dates from the origins of the German princely state of Mecklenburg's royal house in the High Middle Ages to the monarchy's abolition at the end of World War I. Strictly speaking, Mecklenburg's princely dynasty was descended linearly from the princes (or kings) of a Slavic tribe, the Obotrites, and had its original residence in a castle (Mecklenburg) in Dorf Mecklenburg (Mikelenburg) close to Wismar.^[1] As part of a feudal union under German law from 1160—at first under the Saxons—Mecklenburg was granted imperial immediacy in 1348 and its princely rulers styled Dukes of Mecklenburg.^[2] Despite several partitions, Mecklenburg remained an integral state until the end of the monarchy. The First Partition of Mecklenburg came in 1234, causing the principality to lose land. Thus arose the partial principalities (lordships) of Werle, Parchim-Richenberg, Rostock and Mecklenburg.^[3] In modern times it was divided into the two (partial) duchies of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (I) and Mecklenburg-Stargard (1348–1471), Mecklenburg-Schwerin (II) and Mecklenburg-Güstrow (1555–1695), and with the Treaty of Hamburg (1701) into Mecklenburg-Schwerin (III) and Mecklenburg-Strelitz.^[1][4] However, the dynasty always retained feudal rights to the entire fief and the rulers of both parts of the country always had identical titles,^[4] which led to diplomatic confusion.

The Congress of Vienna in 1815 granted the ruling dukes an adjustment in rank with the title Grand Duke of Mecklenburg and the personal style Royal Highness.^[1] Both parts of the country were henceforth designated Grand Duchies. Besides both rulers, each heir to the throne, their respective wives and all other members of the princely family used the title of Duke (or Duchess) of Mecklenburg, notwithstanding the customary name of Princes and Princesses. The rulers of Mecklenburg were styled Duke of (from 1815 Grand Duke of) Mecklenburg, Prince of the Wends, Schwerin and Ratzeburg, and Count of Schwerin, Lord of the Lands of Rostock and Stargard (Herzog zu / Großherzog von Mecklenburg, Fürst zu Wenden, Schwerin und Ratzeburg, auch Graf zu Schwerin, der Lande Rostock und Stargard Herr).^[5]

At the end of the monarchy in 1918, the House of Mecklenburg was the oldest ruling princely dynasty in Germany. During the Weimar Republic, the former princely title was turned into a commoner's surname, Herzog zu Mecklenburg ("Duke of Mecklenburg").^[5]

The Land of the Obotrites

As allies of the Carolingian kings and the empire of their Ottonian successors, the Obotrites fought from 808 to 1200 against the kings of Denmark, who wished to rule the Baltic region independently of the empire. When opportunities arose, for instance upon the death of an emperor, they would seek to seize power; and in 983 Hamburg was destroyed by the Obotrites under their king, Mstivoj. At times they levied tribute from the Danes and Saxons. Under the leadership of Niklot, they resisted a Christian assault during the Wendish Crusade.

German missionaries such as Vicelinus converted the Obotrites to Christianity. In 1170 they acknowledged the suzerainty of the Holy Roman Empire, leading to Germanisation and assimilation over the following centuries. The ruling clan of the Obotrites kept its power throughout the Germanisation and ruled their country (except of a short interruption in Thirty Years' War) as House of Mecklenburg until the end of monarchies in Germany in November Revolution 1918.

List of Obotrite leaders

The rulers of Obotrite lands were later the Dukes and Grand Dukes of Mecklenburg.

The Saxon suzerainty and the land of Mecklenburg

From the 7th through the 12th centuries, the area of Mecklenburg was taken over by Western Slavic peoples, most notably the Obotrites and other tribes that Frankish sources referred to as "Wends". The 11th century founder of the Mecklenburgian dynasty of Dukes and later Grand Dukes, which lasted until 1918, was Nyklot of the Obotrites.

In the late 12th century, Henry the Lion, Duke of the Saxons, conquered the region, subjugated its local lords, and Christianized its people, in a precursor to the Northern Crusades. From 12th to 14th century, large numbers of Germans and Flemings settled the area (Ostsiedlung), importing German law and improved agricultural techniques. The Wends who survived all warfare and devastation of the centuries before, including invasions of and expeditions into Saxony, Denmark and Liutizic areas as well as internal conflicts, were assimilated in the centuries thereafter. However, elements of certain names and words used in Mecklenburg speak to the lingering Slavic influence. An example would be the city of Schwerin, which was originally called Zuarin in Slavic. Another example is the town of Bresegard, the 'gard' portion of the town name deriving from the Slavic word 'grad', meaning city or town.

Partitions of Mecklenburg

Like many German territories, Mecklenburg was sometimes partitioned and re-partitioned among different members of the ruling dynasty. The division started in 1227.

Partition of 1227

In 1227, Henry Borwin II divided his lands of Mecklenburg among his sons: John received the area called Mecklenburg; Nicholas received Werle; Henry Borwin III Rostock and Pribislaus Parchim-Rinchenberg. In 1256, the latter showed incapacity for government and his brothers deposed him, dividing his lands among themselves.

In 1314 the land of Nicholas the Child of Rostock died without heirs; his lands were annexed to Mecklenburg-Mecklenburg.

In 1348 Mecklenburg-Mecklenburg and its possessions were elevated as an unified duchy, with seat at Schwerin. The line of Mecklenburg-Mecklenburg then took the seat's name for their branch: from 1348, when elevated, the line of Mecklenburg-Mecklenburg changed to Mecklenburg-Schwerin.

In 1352 the duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin was again divided: from Schwerin grew a new line of dukes, called Mecklenburg-Stargard.

In 1436 the Werle line, and in 1471 the Stargard line were annexed to Mecklenburg-Schwerin, reuniting all the lands of Mecklenburg.

Partition of 1520

In 1520 the united Mecklenburg, bearing the name Mecklenburg-Schwerin, was redivided. The line of Mecklenburg-Güstrow splits off from the elder line of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. In 1695 Mecklenburg-Schwerin-Güstrow was reabsorbed in Mecklenburg, reuniting the duchy one more time.

Partition of 1701

In 1701 the united Mecklenburg, bearing the name Mecklenburg-Schwerin, was redivided. The line of Mecklenburg-Strelitz splits off from the elder line of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. In 1918, at the end of World War I, the monarchy was abolished, with the duchy still divided.

Rulers of Mecklenburg: the Nikloting dynasty

Partitions of Mecklenburg under Mecklenburg rule

Table of rulers

(Note: The current numbering system established for the rulers of Mecklenburg is based in the following: the Mecklenburgian group (Mecklenburg, and then Schwerin, later Gustrow and Strelitz) form one group of a single numbering. The other parts of Mecklenburg (Parchim, Werle and divisions, Rostock and Stargard) have their own and independent numberings for their rulers.)

Ruler		Born	Reign	Ruling part	Consort	Death	Notes
Niklot		1090 ?	1131 – August 1160	Principality of the Obotritic Confederation	Unknown at least two children	August 1160 Werle aged 69-70	Founder of the Nikloting family, he was a Prince of the Obotrites. Also ruled the subdued Polabian Slav tribes of Kessinians and Circipanians.
Pribislaus I Henry		c.1130? First son of Niklot	August 1160 – 30 December 1178	Lordship of Mecklenburg	Vizlava of Pomerania c.1175 at least one child	30 December 1178 Lüneburg aged 47-48?	Children of Niklot, divided their inheritance. Pribislaus accepted Saxon suzerainty in 1167.
Warcislaus		c.1130? Second son of Niklot	August 1160 – June 1164	Lordship of Rostock	Unknown at least one child	June 1164 Trostberg aged 33-34?
Prislaus		c.1130? Third son of Niklot	August 1160 – c.1175	Lordship of Lolland (vassalage to Denmark)	Catharina of Denmark 1159 two children	c.1175 aged 44-45?
Regency of Pribislaus I, Lord of Mecklenburg (1164-1178)							Left no descendants. Rostock was inherited by Mecklenburg.
Nicholas I (alternatively Niklot II)		c.1160 Son of Warcislaus	June 1164 – 25 May 1200	Lordship of Rostock	Unmarried	25 May 1200 Wittendörp aged 39-40
Rostock annexed to Mecklenburg
Canute		c.1160? Son of Prislaus and Catharina of Denmark	c.1175 – 1183	Lordship of Lolland (vassalage to Denmark)	Unmarried	1183 aged 22-23?	Left no descendants. After his death, Lolland returned to Denmark's possession
Lolland annexed to Denmark
Henry Borwin I		c.1150 Son of Pribislaus I Henry and Vizlava of Pomerania	30 December 1178 – 1219	Lordship of Mecklenburg	Matilda of Saxony c.1170 two children Adelaide before 1227 one child	28 January 1227 aged 76-77	Abdicated in 1219.
Henry Borwin II		1170 First son of Henry Borwin I and Matilda of Saxony	1219 – 5 June 1226	Lordship of Mecklenburg	Christina of Sweden c.1200 six children	5 June 1226 Güstrow aged 55-56	Children of Henry Borwin I, ruled jointly.
Nicholas II		c.1175 Second son of Henry Borwin I and Matilda of Saxony	1219 – 28 September 1225		Unmarried	28 September 1225 Gadebusch aged 49-50
John I the Theologian		c.1211	1227-1264	1 August 1264	Mecklenburg	Luitgard of Henneberg c.1230 seven children	Son of Henry Borwin II. Received the land of Mecklenburg.
Nicholas I		c. 1210	1227-1277	14 May 1277	Werle	Judith of Anhalt 1231 seven children	Son of Henry Borwin II. Received the land of Werle.
Henry Borwin III		c. 1220	1227-1278	1 August 1278	Rostock	Sophia of Sweden 1237 four children	Son of Henry Borwin II. Received the land of Rostock.
Pribislaus I		1224	1227-1256	after 12 February 1275	Parchim-Richenberg	Unmarried	Son of Henry Borwin II. Received the land of Parchim-Richenberg, but he hadn't the capacity for rule, and was deposed by his brothers, who divided his land between them.
Henry I the Pilgrim		c.1230	1264-1271 (1299-1302 probably only titular)	2 January 1302	Mecklenburg	Anastasia of Pomerania c.1259 three children	In 1271, he made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Along the way, he was taken prisoner and deported to Cairo, where he was held in captivity by the Arabs for 27 years. During his absence, Mecklenburg was ruled by his brothers John II and Nicholas III, after a fight between his brothers and cousins about the regency and the guardianship of his children. After John II died in 1283, Nicholas III ruled with his nephew John III until the latter's death in 1289. Nicholas died that year. Henry I returned to Mecklenburg via Morea and Rome in 1298. In 1299, he formally resumed his reign, although he probably left the business of government mostly to his son Henry II.
Albert I		c.1230	1264-1265	15 May or 17 May 1265	Mecklenburg	Unknown
Nicholas III		c.1230	1264-1289	8 June 1289 or 1290	Mecklenburg	Unknown
John II		c.1250	1264-1299	12 October 1299	Mecklenburg	Unknown
John III		c.1250	1287-1289	27 May 1289	Mecklenburg	Helena of Rügen 3 November 1288 one child
Henry I		c. 1245	1277-1291	8 October 1291	Werle-Güstrow	Richeza of Sweden 1262 three children Matilda of Brunswick-Lüneburg I 1291 no children	Children of Nicholas I, ruled jointly until 1281, when they divided their patrimony. Henry kept Güstrow, John inherited Parchim and Bernard ruled at Prisannewitz. Bernard left no descendants, and his lands were divided between Parchim and Güstrow.
John I		c. 1245	1277-1283	15 October 1283	Werle-Parchim	Sophia of Lindow-Ruppin before 1275 six children
Bernard I		c. 1245	1277-1286	c.1286	Werle (at Prisannewitz)	Unmarried
Valdemar		before 1241	1278-1282	9 November 1282	Rostock	Agnes of Holstein-Kiel before 1262 three children
Regency of Agnes of Holstein-Kiel (1282-1284)							Died without male heirs. His inheritance went to Henry II of Mecklenburg.
Nicholas I the Child		before 1262	1282-1314	25 November 1314	Rostock	Margaret of Pomerania-Wolgast 1299 one child
Rostock was definitely annexed to Mecklenburg
Henry II		before 1283	1291-1294	1307	Werle-Güstrow	Beatrice of Pomerania before 1290 two children	After his death with no descendants, Güstrow was annexed to Parchim.
Werle-Güstrow was definitely annexed to Werle-Parchim, which became Werle (1294-1316)
Nicholas II		before 1283	1291-1294	18 February 1316	Werle-Parchim	Richeza of Denmark 1292 two children Matilda of Brunswick-Lüneburg II after 1308 no children	Co-ruled with his uncles Henry I and Bernard I since 1283. In 1294 reunited Werle.
			1294-1316		Werle
Henry II the Lion		after 14 April 1266	1290-1329 (with his father as titular duke 1299-1302)	21 January 1329	Mecklenburg	Beatrix of Brandenburg c.1290 one child Anna of Saxe-Wittenberg after 6 July 1315 seven children Agnes of Lindow-Ruppin After 1324 no children	Son of Henry I, ruled from 1287 under regency of his uncles Nicholas III and John II, as his father Henry I was taken prisoner in the Holy Land. In 1298, he returned and Henry IV became co-ruler. Ruled alone from 1302.
John II the Bald		after 1250	1316-1337	27 August 1337	Werle-Güstrow	Matilda of Brunswick-Grubenhagen 1311 four children	Brother and son of Nicholas II, respectively. In 1316 there was a new subdivision of Werle in Goldberg and Güstrow, this last subdivided again in -Gustrow and -Waren in 1337.
John III Ruoden		before 1300	1316-1350	1352	Werle-Goldberg	Matilda of Pomerania 1317 three children Richardis before 1350 two children
Council of Regency (1329-1336)							Children of Henry II, ruled jointly. When Albert was raised to duke in 1348, John split off Stargard to rule independently.
Albert II the Great		c.1318	1329-1379	18 February 1379	Lordship of Mecklenburg (1329–47) Duchy of Mecklenburg (1347–79)	Euphemia of Sweden 10 April 1336 five children Adelheid of Hohenstein after 1370 no children
John I		c.1326	1329-1348	9 August 1392/9 February 1393	Lordship of Mecklenburg	Rixa no children Anna of Holstein-Pinneberg before 1358 one child Agnes of Lindow-Ruppin 1358 five children
			1348-1392/93		Mecklenburg-Stargard
Nicholas III Staveleke		after 1311	1337-1360	1360/1361	Werle-Güstrow	Agnes of Mecklenburg 6 January 1338 two children Matilda of Holstein-Plön after 1341 one child	Children of John II, divided the land.
Bernard II		c.1320	1337-1382	between 16 January and 13 April 1382	Werle-Waren	Elisabeth of Holstein-Plön 1341 three children
Nicholas IV the Pig-Eyed		after 1311	1350-1354	1360/1361	Werle-Goldberg	Agnes of Lindow-Ruppin before 1350 three children
Regency of Albert II, Duke of Mecklenburg and Nicholas III, Lord of Werle-Gustrow (1354-1360)							His part of Goldberg went to Werle-Gustrow after his death.
John IV		before 1350	1354-1374	1374	Werle-Goldberg	Unmarried
Werle-Goldberg was definitely annexed to Werle-Güstrow
Lorenz		between 1338 and 1340	1360-1393/94	between 24 February 1393 and 6 May 1394	Werle-Güstrow	Matilda of Werle-Goldberg c.1375 three children	Children of Nicholas III, ruled jointly.
John V		between 1338 and 1340	1360-1378	before 9 September 1378	Werle-Güstrow	Euphemia of Mecklenburg-Schwerin before 1378 no children
Henry III the Hanger		c.1337	1379-1383	24 April 1383	Mecklenburg (part 1)[9]	Ingeborg of Denmark 1362 four children Matilda of Werle 26 February 1377 no children	Children of Albert II, co-ruled jointly, but possibly in different parts of Mecklenburg. Albert III associated his eldest son Eric to his own part of Mecklenburg. Albert III's swedish ascendance allowed him to succeed as King of Sweden between 1364 and 1389.
Albert III		c.1338	1379-1412	March 1412	Mecklenburg (part 2)[9]	Richardis of Schwerin 1365 two children Agnes of Brunswick-Lüneburg 12/13 February 1396 Schwerin one child
Eric I		after 1359	1396-1397	16 July 1397	Mecklenburg (part 2)	Sophie of Pomerania-Wolgast 12/13 February 1396 Schwerin no children
Magnus I		c.1345	1379-1384	1 September 1384	Mecklenburg (part 3)[9]	Elizabeth of Pomerania-Wolgast after 1362 two children
John VI		c.1320	1382-1395	c. 1395	Werle-Waren	Agnes of Mecklenburg-Werle-Goldberg before 1395 four children
Albert IV		before 1363	1383-1388	between 24 and 31 December 1388	Mecklenburg (part 1)	Elisabeth of Holstein-Rendsburg before 1388 no children	Left no children. His part of the co-rulership was probably divided between the other two.
Regencies of John I, Duke of Mecklenburg-Stargard (1384-1393) and John II, Duke of Mecklenburg-Stargard (1393-1395)
John IV		before 1370	1384-1422	16 October 1422	Mecklenburg (part 3)	Jutta von Hoya before 1415 no children Catherine of Saxe-Lauenburg 1416 two children
John II		before 1370	1393-1416	6 July/9 October 1416	Mecklenburg-Stargard	Wilheida-Catherine of Lithuania 1388 three children	Sons of John I, ruled jointly.
Ulrich I		before 1382	1393-1417	8 April 1417	Mecklenburg-Stargard	Margaret of Pomerania-Stettin before 1400 three children
Albert I		before 1377	1393-1397	between 11 February and 15 July 1397	Mecklenburg-Stargard	Unmarried
Nicholas V		between 1341 and 1385	1395-1408	after 21 January 1408	Werle-Waren	Sophie of Pomerania-Wolgast after 1397 no children	Sons of John VI, ruled jointly. After Christopher's death, Waren went to Gustrow.
Christopher		before 1385	1385 1395-1425	25 August 1425	Werle-Waren	Unmarried
Waren was definitely annexed to Güstrow
Balthasar		c.1375	1393/4-1421	5 April 1421	Werle-Güstrow	Euphemia of Mecklenburg-Schwerin 18 October 1397 no children Helvig of Holstein-Rendsburg 18 April 1417 no children	Children of Lorenz, ruled jointly. William reunited Werle, but left no descendants. Werle went to Mecklenburg.
John VII		ca. 1375	1393/4-1414	between 14 August and 17 December 1414	Werle-Güstrow	Catherine of Saxe-Lauenburg before 1414 no children
William		c.1375	1393/4-1425	8 September 1436	Werle-Güstrow	Anna of Anhalt 1422 no children Sophia of Pomerania after 1426 one child
			1425-1436		Werle
Werle was definitely annexed to Mecklenburg
Regency of Agnes of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1412-1415)
Albert V		1397	1412-1423	between 1 June and 6 December 1423	Mecklenburg (part 2)	Margaret of Brandenburg 1423 no children
John III		1389	1417-1438	after 11 November 1438	Mecklenburg-Stargard	Luttrud of Anhalt-Köthen before 1438 no children	Children of Ulrich (Albert and Henry) and John II (John III), ruled jointly.
Albert II		before 1400	1417-1421/23	between 11 February 1421 and 4 October 1423	Mecklenburg-Stargard	Unmarried
Henry I Gaunt		before 1412	1417-1466	between 26 May and 20 August 1466	Mecklenburg-Stargard	Judith of Mecklenburg-Werle-Gustrow-Waren before 1427 no children Ingeborg of Pomerania-Stolp after 1427 two children Margaret of Brunswick-Lüneburg 1452 two children
Regency of Albert V, Duke of Mecklenburg (1422-1423) and Catherine of Saxe-Lauenburg (1422-1436)							Sons of John IV, reunited the parts held by the coregency period (1379-1423). Henry IV associated his eldest son John VI to the co-rulership, but he didn't survive him.
John V		1418	1422-1442/43	1 November 1442/13 January 1443	Mecklenburg (part 3 until 1423; all 3 parts since 1423)	Anna of Pomerania-Stettin 17 September 1436 no children
Henry IV the Fat		before 1417	1422-1477	9 March 1477		Dorothea of Brandenburg May 1432 seven children
John VI		1439	1451-1472	1472		Unmarried
Ulrich II		before 1428	1466-1471	13 July 1471	Mecklenburg-Stargard	Catherine of Mecklenburg-Werle-Gustrow between 24 February and 15 September 1454 no children	Son of Henry I. After his death Stargard was reunited to Mecklenburg.
Stargard was definitely annexed to Mecklenburg
Magnus II		before 1417	1477-1503	20 November 1503	Mecklenburg	Sophia of Pomerania-Stettin 29 May 1478 seven children	Children of Henry IV, ruled jointly.
Albert VI		1438	1477-1483	before 27 April 1483	Mecklenburg	Catherine of Lindow-Ruppin 1466 or 1468 no children
Balthasar		1451	1477-1507	16 March 1507	Mecklenburg	Unmarried
Henry V the Peaceful		3 May 1479 Schwerin First son of Magnus II and Sophia of Pomerania-Stettin	20 November 1503 – 6 February 1552	Duchy of Schwerin	Ursula of Brandenburg 12 December 1505 three children Helen of the Palatinate 12 June 1513 Wismar three children Ursula of Saxe-Lauenburg 14 May 1551 Schwerin no children	6 February 1552 Schwerin aged 72	Children of Magnus II, ruled jointly with their uncle until 1507, and still together until 1520, when a new inheritance division was made.
Eric II		3 September 1483 Schwerin Second son of Magnus II and Sophia of Pomerania-Stettin	20 November 1503 – 22 December 1508	Duchy of Mecklenburg	Unmarried	22 December 1508 Schwerin aged 25
Albert VII the Handsome		25 July 1486 Schwerin Third son of Magnus II and Sophia of Pomerania-Stettin	20 November 1503 – 7 January 1547	Duchy of Güstrow	Anna of Brandenburg 17 January 1524 Berlin ten children	7 January 1547 Schwerin aged 60
Regency of John Albert I, Duke of Güstrow (1552-1557)							Mentally disabled, ruled under regency of his cousin.
Philip		12 September 1514 Schwerin Son of Henry V and Helen of the Palatinate	6 February 1552 – 4 January 1557	Duchy of Schwerin	Unmarried	4 January 1557 Güstrow aged 42
John Albert I		23 December 1525 Güstrow Second son of Albert VII and Anna of Brandenburg	7 January 1547 – 4 January 1557	Duchy of Güstrow	Anna Sophia of Prussia 24 February 1555 Wismar three children	12 February 1576 Schwerin aged 50	Children of Albert VII. John Albert, inherited Güstrow, but also held regency for his disabled cousin in Schwerin. After the latter's death, John Albert occupied Schwerin and left Güstrow to his brother Ulrich. Therefore, both duchies were ruled, from then on, by descendants of Albert VII. Also, a duchy at Gadebusch was created for a third son, Christopher.
			4 January 1557 – 12 February 1576	Duchy of Schwerin
Ulrich III		5 March 1527 Schwerin Third son of Albert VII and Anna of Brandenburg	4 January 1557 – 14 March 1603	Duchy of Güstrow	Elizabeth of Denmark 14 February 1556 one child Anna of Pomerania-Wolgast 9 December 1588 Wołogoszcz no children	14 March 1603 Güstrow aged 76
Christopher		5 March 1527 Augsburg Seventh son of Albert VII and Anna of Brandenburg	4 January 1557 – 4 March 1592	Duchy of Güstrow (at Gadebusch)	Dorothea of Denmark 27 October 1573 Kolding no children Elisabeth of Sweden 7 May 1581 Stockholm one child	4 March 1592 near Brüel aged 54
Gadebusch reannexed to Güstrow
John VII		7 March 1558 Güstrow First son of John Albert I and Anna Sophia of Prussia	12 February 1576 – 22 March 1592	Duchy of Schwerin	Sophia of Holstein-Gottorp 17 February 1588 three children	22 March 1592 Stargard aged 34	Children of John Albert I, divided their inheritance.
Sigismund Augustus		11 November 1560 Schwerin Second son of John Albert I and Anna Sophia of Prussia	12 February 1576 – 5 September 1600	Duchy of Schwerin (at Neustrelitz, Mirow and Ivenack)	Clara Maria of Pomerania-Barth 7 October 1593 Barth three children	5 September 1600 Ivenack aged 39
Neustrelitz, Mirow and Ivenack reannexed to Schwerin
Sophia of Holstein-Gottorp		1 June 1569 Gottorf Daughter of Adolph, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp and Christine of Hesse	22 March 1592 – 14 November 1634	Duchy of Schwerin (at Lübz, Rehna and Wittenburg)	John VII 17 February 1588 three children	14 November 1634 Schwerin aged 65	Received a widow seat, and in 1603, held regency for her sons. After her death the seats returned to the main duchy.
Regencies of Ulrich III, Duke of Güstrow and Sigismund Augustus, Duke of Strelitz (1592-1603) and Sophia of Holstein-Gottorp (1603-1608)							In 1628, the Emperor Ferdinand II deposed him and took his fiefs from him, but he was reinstated in 1631. In the period 1628-1631 the duchy was ruled by Albrecht von Wallenstein.
Adolph Frederick I		15 December 1588 Schwerin First son of John VII and Sophia of Holstein-Gottorp	22 March 1592 – 1628 1631 – 27 February 1658	Duchy of Schwerin	Anna Maria of East Frisia 4 September 1622 eight children Maria Catharina of Brunswick-Dannenberg 1635 eleven children	27 February 1658 Schwerin aged 69
Charles I		28 December 1540 Neustadt Eighth son of Albert VII and Anna of Brandenburg	14 March 1603 – 22 July 1610	Duchy of Güstrow	Unmarried	22 July 1610 Neustadt aged 69	Last son of Albert VII, also left no descendants.
John Albert II		5 May 1590 Waren Second son of John VII and Sophia of Holstein-Gottorp	22 July 1610 – 23 April 1636	Duchy of Güstrow	Margaret Elizabeth of Mecklenburg-Güstrow 9 October 1608 four children Elizabeth of Hesse Kassel 25 March 1618 Kassel no children Eleonore Marie of Anhalt-Bernburg 7 May 1626 Güstrow five children	23 April 1636 Güstrow aged 45	A new line from Schwerin was installed at Gustrow. In 1628, the Emperor Ferdinand II deposed him and took his fiefs from him, but he was reinstated in 1631. In the period 1628-1631 the duchy was ruled by Albrecht von Wallenstein.
Regency of Adolph Frederick I, Duke of Schwerin (1636-1654)							His male heirs predeceased him. The majority of his lands rejoined Mecklenburg.
Gustav Adolph		26 February 1633 Güstrow Second son of John Albert II and Eleonore Marie of Anhalt-Bernburg	23 April 1636 – 6 October 1695	Duchy of Güstrow	Magdalena Sibylla of Holstein-Gottorp 28 December 1654 eleven children	6 October 1695 Güstrow aged 62
Güstrow (with exceptions) annexed to Schwerin
Christian Louis I		1 December 1623 Schwerin Son of Adolph Frederick I and Anna Maria of East Frisia	27 February 1658 – 21 June 1692	Duchy of Schwerin	Christine Margaret of Mecklenburg-Güstrow 21 February 1640 no children Élisabeth Angelique de Montmorency 3 March 1664 no children	21 June 1692 The Hague aged 68	Children of Adolf Frederick I, divided the land. AS Christian left no descendants, he was succeeded by his brother Frederick's son.
Frederick I		13 February 1638 Schwerin First son of Adolph Frederick I and Maria Catharina of Brunswick-Dannenberg	27 February 1658 – 28 April 1688	Duchy of Schwerin (at Grabow)	Christine Wilhelmine of Hesse-Homburg 28 May 1671 four children	28 April 1688 Grabow aged 50
Grabow annexed to Schwerin
Frederick William		28 March 1675 Grabow First son of Frederick and Christine Wilhelmine of Hesse-Homburg	21 June 1692 – 31 July 1713	Duchy of Schwerin	Sophie Charlotte of Hesse-Kassel 2 January 1704 Kassel no children	31 July 1713 Mainz aged 38	Reunited the majority of Gustrow under Schwerin, but ceded Strelitz to his uncle, Adolph Frederick II, in 1701.
Magdalena Sibylla of Holstein-Gottorp		14 November 1631 Gottorf Daughter of Frederick III, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp and Marie Elisabeth of Saxony	6 October 1695 – 22 September 1719	Duchy of Güstrow (at Güstrow only)	Gustav Adolph 28 December 1654 eleven children	22 September 1719 Güstrow aged 87	Possible heiresses of Gustav Adolph. Magdalena Sibylla, as widow, kept a seat at Güstrow, which joined her late husband's patrimony into Schwerin after her death. Her daughter Maria possibly held Strelitz, once it was part of Güstrow and was, from 1701, settled as her husband's capital.
Maria		19 July 1659 Güstrow Daughter of Gustav Adolph and Magdalena Sibylla of Holstein-Gottorp	6 October 1695 – 16 January 1701	Duchy of Güstrow (possibly at Neustrelitz only)	Adolph Frederick II 23 September 1684 Güstrow five children	16 January 1701 Strelitz aged 41
Güstrow annexed to Mecklenburg-Schwerin; Neustrelitz annexed to Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Adolph Frederick II		19 October 1658 Grabow Sixth son (posthumous) of Adolph Frederick I and Maria Catharina of Brunswick-Dannenberg	6 October 1695 – 8 March 1701	Duchy of Güstrow (possibly at Neustrelitz)	Maria 23 September 1684 Güstrow five children Joanna of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg 20 June 1702 no children Christiane Emilie of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen 10 June 1705 Neustrelitz two children	12 May 1708 Neustrelitz aged 67	Married the (possible) heiress of Strelitz, and in 1701 was given a whole duchy with capital at this town.
			8 March 1701 – 12 May 1708	Duchy of Strelitz
Adolph Frederick III		7 June 1686 Neustrelitz Son of Adolph Frederick II and Maria of Mecklemburg-Güstrow	12 May 1708 – 11 December 1752	Duchy of Strelitz	Dorothea of Holstein-Plön 16 April 1709 Reinfeld two children	11 December 1752 Neustrelitz aged 66	Children of Adolphus Frederick II, divided their inheritance.
Charles I Louis		23 February 1708 Neustrelitz Son of Adolph Frederick II and Christiane Emilie of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen	12 May 1708 – 5 June 1752	Duchy of Strelitz (at Mirow)	Elisabeth Albertine of Saxe-Hildburghausen 5 February 1735 Eisfeld ten children	5 June 1752 Mirow aged 44
Mirow reannexed to Strelitz
Charles Leopold		26 November 1678 Grabow Second son of Frederick and Christine Wilhelmine of Hesse-Homburg	31 July 1713 – 28 November 1747 (only de jure from 1728)	Duchy of Schwerin	Sophia Hedwig of Nassau-Dietz 27 May 1709 Leeuwarden no children Christine von Lepel 7 June 1710 Doberau (morganatic; annulled 2 October 1711) no children Catherine Ivanovna of Russia 19 April 1716 Danzig one child	28 November 1747 Dömitz aged 69	Deposed in 1728 by the Aulic Council in Vienna in favour of his brother Christian Louis II, for incapacity. His daughter was Anna Leopoldovna, regent of Russia (1740-1741).
Christian Louis II		15 November 1683 Grabow Third son of Frederick and Christine Wilhelmine of Hesse-Homburg	28 November 1747 – 30 May 1756 (ruling de facto as regent since 1728)	Duchy of Schwerin	Gustave Caroline of Mecklenburg-Strelitz 13 November 1714 five children	30 May 1756 Schwerin aged 73
Regency of Elisabeth Albertine of Saxe-Hildburghausen (1752-1753)							Left no heirs. He was succeeded by his brother.
Adolph Frederick IV		5 May 1738 Mirow First son of Charles Louis and Elisabeth Albertine of Saxe-Hildburghausen	11 December 1752 – 2 June 1794	Duchy of Strelitz	Unmarried	2 June 1794 Neustrelitz aged 56
Frederick II the Pious		9 November 1717 Schwerin Son of Christian Louis II and Gustave Caroline of Mecklenburg-Strelitz	30 May 1756 – 24 April 1785	Duchy of Schwerin	Louise Frederica of Württemberg 2 March 1746 Schwedt four children	24 April 1785 Ludwigslust aged 56	His heirs died in infancy and was succeeded by his nephew.
Frederick Francis I		10 December 1756 Schwerin Son of Louis of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Charlotte Sophie of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld	24 April 1785 – 1 February 1837	Duchy of Schwerin (until 1815) Grand Duchy of Schwerin (from 1815)	Louise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg 1 June 1775 Gotha six children	1 February 1837 Ludwigslust aged 56	Son of Louis, brother of Frederick II. In 1815 was raised to Grand Duke.
Charles II		10 October 1741 Mirow Second son of Charles Louis and Elisabeth Albertine of Saxe-Hildburghausen	2 June 1794 – 6 November 1816	Duchy of Strelitz (until 1815) Grand Duchy of Strelitz (from 1815)	Frederica of Hesse-Darmstadt 18 September 1768 Darmstadt ten children Charlotte of Hesse-Darmstadt 28 September 1784 Darmstadt one child	6 November 1816 Neustrelitz aged 75	Elevated to Grand Duke in 1815.
George		12 August 1779 Hanover Son of Charles II and Frederica of Hesse-Darmstadt	6 November 1816 – 6 September 1860	Grand Duchy of Strelitz	Marie of Hesse-Kassel 12 August 1817 Kassel four children	6 September 1860 Neustrelitz aged 81
Paul Frederick		15 September 1800 Ludwigslust Son of Frederick Louis of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Elena Pavlovna of Russia	1 February 1837 – 7 March 1842	Grand Duchy of Schwerin	Alexandrine of Prussia 25 May 1822 Berlin no children	7 March 1842 Schwerin aged 41	Grandson of Frederick Francis I.
Frederick Francis II		28 February 1823 Ludwigslust Son of Paul Frederick and Alexandrine of Prussia	7 March 1842 – 15 April 1883	Grand Duchy of Schwerin	Augusta Reuss of Middle Köstritz 3 November 1849 Ludwigslust six children Anne of Hesse and by Rhine 4 July 1864 Darmstadt one child Marie of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt 4 July 1868 Rudolstadt four children	15 April 1883 Schwerin aged 60
Frederick William		17 October 1819 Neustrelitz Son of George and Marie of Hesse-Kassel	6 September 1860 – 30 May 1904	Grand Duchy of Strelitz	Augusta of the United Kingdom 28 June 1843 London two children	30 May 1904 Neustrelitz aged 84
Frederick Francis III		19 March 1851 Ludwigslust Son of Frederick Francis II and Augusta Reuss of Middle Köstritz	15 April 1883 – 10 April 1897	Grand Duchy of Schwerin	Anastasia Mikhailovna of Russia 24 January 1879 Saint Petersburg three children	10 April 1897 Cannes aged 46
Regency of John Albert of Mecklenburg (1897-1901)							Forced to abdicate in 1918, after the end of World War I.
Frederick Francis IV		9 April 1882 Palermo Son of Frederick Francis III and Anastasia Mikhailovna of Russia	10 April 1897 – 14 November 1918	Grand Duchy of Schwerin	Alexandra of Hanover and Cumberland 7 June 1904 Gmunden five children	17 November 1945 Flensburg aged 63
Adolph Frederick V		22 July 1848 Neustrelitz Son of Frederick William and Augusta of the United Kingdom	30 May 1904 – 11 June 1914	Grand Duchy of Strelitz	Elisabeth of Anhalt 17 April 1877 Dessau four children	11 June 1914 Berlin aged 65
Adolph Frederick VI		17 June 1882 Neustrelitz Son of Adolph Frederick V and Elisabeth of Anhalt	11 June 1914 – 23 February 1918	Grand Duchy of Strelitz	Unmarried	23 February 1918 Neustrelitz aged 35	Committed suicide in 1918, before the end of World War I.