Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Aug. 01, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	BANCORPSOUTH INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000701853
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		95,194,627
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2013