-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 TnZcUXdRZrg/W/FXiw7Nk4xVMBGMvU4GzlPHjZvnQsWGJT8snKC0FWB1BvPJsMZT
 VVr4DYqV7kH2hEH0+yzyCA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001005477-06-002953.txt : 20060607
<SEC-HEADER>0001005477-06-002953.hdr.sgml : 20060607
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060607104926
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001005477-06-002953
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060607
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060607
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060607

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Descant Don P
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001365291

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-13089
		FILM NUMBER:		06890771

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		1-228-563-6559

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2510 14TH STREET
		CITY:			GULFPORT
		STATE:			MS
		ZIP:			39501

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HANCOCK HOLDING CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000750577
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				640693170
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MS
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE HANCOCK PLZ
		STREET 2:		P.O. BOX 4019
		CITY:			GULFPORT
		STATE:			MS
		ZIP:			39501
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6018684605

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE HANCOCK PLZ
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 4019
		CITY:			GULFPORT
		STATE:			MS
		ZIP:			39501
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar123.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-06-07</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000750577</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>HANCOCK HOLDING CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>HBHC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001365291</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Descant Don P</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2510 14TH STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GULFPORT</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MS</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>39501</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4284</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Don P. Descant</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-06-07</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----