CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS ' EQUITY (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Total
Balances, beginning at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 1,479	$ 346,096	$ 137,102	$ (25,119)	$ (3,071)	$ 1,452	$ 457,939
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests and Tompkins Financial Corporation			12,569			33	12,602
Other comprehensive income (loss)				5,434			5,434
Total Comprehensive Income							18,036
Cash dividends			(5,905)				(5,905)
Net exercise of stock options and related tax benefit	2	460					462
Compensation expense stock options		342					342
Shares issued for employee stock ownership plan	3	1,525					1,528
Directors deferred compensation plan		(29)			29		0
Restricted stock activity		125					125
Shares issued for dividend reinvestment plan	2	1,293					1,295
Balances, ending at Mar. 31, 2014	1,486	349,812	143,766	(19,685)	(3,042)	1,485	473,822
Balances, beginning at Dec. 31, 2014	1,493	348,889	165,160	(24,011)	(3,400)	1,452	489,583
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests and Tompkins Financial Corporation			12,680			33	12,713
Other comprehensive income (loss)				5,749			5,749
Total Comprehensive Income							18,462
Cash dividends			(6,261)				(6,261)
Net exercise of stock options and related tax benefit	4	1,252					1,256
Compensation expense stock options		386					386
Shares issued for employee stock ownership plan	3	1,592					1,595
Directors deferred compensation plan		(23)			23		0
Restricted stock activity							0
Adoption of ASU 2014-01 Investments Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects			(725)				(725)
Balances, ending at Mar. 31, 2015	$ 1,500	$ 352,096	$ 170,854	$ (18,262)	$ (3,377)	$ 1,485	$ 504,296