CONDENSED PARENT COMPANY INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Assets
Other assets	$ 180,888	$ 167,209
Total Assets	13,029,733	13,397,198	12,995,851
Liabilities and shareholders' equity:
Total liabilities	11,516,603	11,948,146
Shareholders' equity	1,513,130	1,449,052	1,262,912	1,222,244
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	13,029,733	13,397,198
Condensed Statements of Income [Abstract]
Income before income taxes	131,666	117,547	42,044
Income tax benefit	(37,551)	(33,252)	(4,475)
Net Income	94,115	84,295	37,569
Operating activities:
Net income	94,115	84,295	37,569
Net cash provided by operating activities	203,732	160,657	276,116
Investing activities:
Net cash paid for acquisitions			(1,200)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(480,032)	265,147	642,149
Financing activities:
Cash dividends	(11,383)	(3,778)	(11,689)
Redemption of junior subordinated debt securities	(128,866)
Advance of long-term debt	50,000
Repayment of long-term debt	(1,786)		(75,000)
Common stock transactions, net	912	110,229	20
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(398,891)	278,466	(691,007)
(Decrease) increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(675,191)	704,270	227,258
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	1,203,614	499,344	272,086
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year	528,423	1,203,614	499,344
BancorpSouth, Inc. (Parent Company Only) [Member]
Assets
Cash on deposit with subsidiary bank	56,751	114,394
Investment in subsidiaries	1,527,137	1,484,097
Other assets	11,525	13,398
Total Assets	1,595,413	1,611,889
Liabilities and shareholders' equity:
Total liabilities	82,283	162,837
Shareholders' equity	1,513,130	1,449,052
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	1,595,413	1,611,889
Condensed Statements of Income [Abstract]
Dividends from subsidiaries	35,000		23,000
Other operating income	1,775	1,253	268
Total income	36,775	1,253	23,268
Operating expenses	15,033	16,931	17,358
Income before income taxes	21,742	(15,678)	5,910
Income tax benefit	5,860	5,732	6,050
Income (loss) before equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	27,602	(9,946)	11,960
Equity in undistributed (distributed) earnings of subsidiaries	66,513	94,241	25,609
Net Income	94,115	84,295	37,569
Operating activities:
Net income	94,115	84,295	37,569
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities	(62,419)	(95,231)	(30,348)
Net cash provided by operating activities	31,696	(10,936)	7,221
Financing activities:
Cash dividends	(11,383)	(3,778)	(11,689)
Redemption of junior subordinated debt securities	(128,866)
Advance of long-term debt	50,000
Repayment of long-term debt	(1,786)
Common stock transactions, net	2,696	112,008	2,596
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(89,339)	108,230	(9,093)
(Decrease) increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(57,643)	97,294	(1,872)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	114,394	17,100	18,972
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year	$ 56,751	$ 114,394	$ 17,100