Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	BANCORPSOUTH INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000701853
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		96,546,902
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2015