Cantonheraldry

Canton (heraldry) is one of the subordinaries of heraldry, and is a small square, which, unless specifically stated to be on the sinister side, always occupies the dexter chief corner of the escutcheon. It is supposed to contain the ninth part of the "field." An honourable augmentation is frequently placed upon a canton, and a very general example of this is shown in the manner in which the "badge of Ulster" is usually displayed upon a simple coat (i.e. not quartered) by the baronets of Ireland and the United Kingdom. A modern case, which may be quoted, is that of the late Sir William Gull, Bart., to whose arms were added a canton ermine, thereon an ostrich feather argent, quilled or enfiled by the coronet which encircles the badge of the Prince of Wales.