<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2013-02-19</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000754673</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SUFFOLK BANCORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SUBK</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001523047</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Hamilton Karen A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O SUFFOLK BANCORP</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>4 WEST SECOND STREET, PO BOX 9000</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>RIVERHEAD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>11901</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Former EVP &amp; CCO</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Suffolk Bancorp Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4020</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Suffolk Bancorp Option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>13.44</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2013-03-04</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-06-04</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Suffolk Bancorp Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>6667</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>6667</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <remarks>Karen A. Hamilton ceased to be an executive officer as of February 19, 2013.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Patricia M. Schaubeck Power of Attorney for Karen A. Hamilton</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2013-02-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
