Condensed Parent Company Information (Condensed Statements of Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income tax benefit	$ 92,802	$ 37,627	$ 38,304
Net income	215,632	149,296	131,461
Other comprehensive (income) loss net of income taxes	11,460	(39,937)	(30,521)
Comprehensive income	227,092	109,359	100,940
Hancock Holding Company [Member]
Cash dividends received from bank subsidiaries	90,000	120,000	31,000
Noncash dividend from bank subsidiaries	11,708
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries greater than dividends received	124,531	39,293	111,424
Total operating income	226,239	159,293	142,424
Other expense, net	(16,931)	(16,614)	(17,297)
Income tax benefit	(6,324)	(6,617)	(6,334)
Net income	215,632	149,296	131,461
Other comprehensive (income) loss net of income taxes	11,460	(39,937)	(30,521)
Comprehensive income	$ 227,092	$ 109,359	$ 100,940