"Melyukov" () (originally Milyukov) is the second cadet branch, and broke off during the early 1860s (shortly after the abolition of serfdom in the Russian Empire). Like many other northern noblemen, the Milyukovs were seriously affected by the abolition, because serfs, who could take winter jobs in the cities, were much more valuable possessions than often frozen land. The Milyukovs were forced to go into business for themselves or go broke. They started a trading company and made their name as merchants of fine furs, supplying, among others, the Russian Imperial Family and several German ducal houses. As a matter of fact, the Milyukovs were so successful that they owned one of the first commercial steamships in Russia. Later, during the Revolution of 1918, many members participated as members of White Army, this branch altering the spelling of its name to Melyukov to escape prosecution by the Cheka.