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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 KuTQ6G4ZDh/uDwT5eEkY8uLe0KRRggbYmmUoaATY1hqdTz1+ZHgTsN8QApQSKt3i
 2QUbb6qHjWGo7KtBih6RZw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001157523-09-001106.txt : 20090210
<SEC-HEADER>0001157523-09-001106.hdr.sgml : 20090210
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090210185714
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001157523-09-001106
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20081231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090210
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090210

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RUSH JOHN L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001235491

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-06253
		FILM NUMBER:		09587202

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORP
		STREET 2:		501 MAIN STREET
		CITY:			PINE BLUFF
		STATE:			AR
		ZIP:			71611

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000090498
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021]
		IRS NUMBER:				710407808
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			AR
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		501 MAIN STREET
		STREET 2:		C/O SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORP
		CITY:			PINE BLUFF
		STATE:			AR
		ZIP:			71601
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8705411000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		501 MAIN STREET
		STREET 2:		C/O SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORP
		CITY:			PINE BLUFF
		STATE:			AR
		ZIP:			71601
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a5891101_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000090498</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SFNC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001235491</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>RUSH JOHN L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>501 MAIN STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PINE BLUFF</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>AR</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>71611</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Secretary to the Board</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>SFNC</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>7450</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>SFNC</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>17</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>SFNC</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>10204</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Joint Revocable Trust</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ John L. Rush by Piper P. Erwin</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-02-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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