CANTON, a word used for certain divisions of some European countries. In France, the canton, which is a subdivision of the arrondissement, is a territorial, rather than an administrative, unit. The cantons were created by the law Dec. 22, 1789, but their administrative character was taken away by the Consular constitution of the year VIII. There are 2,908, each comprising on an average, about 12 communes. The canton, the seat of a justice of the peace returns a member to the conseil d'ar rondissement (see FRANCE). In Switzerland, canton is the name given to each of the 22 States comprising the Swiss confederation (see SWITZERLAND).
In heraldry, a "canton" is a corner or square division on a shield, occupying the upper corner (usually the dexter). It is in area two-thirds of the quarter (see HERALDRY).