As a rule, these national symbols are cultural icons that have emerged from Scottish folklore and tradition, meaning few have any official status.
However, most if not all maintain recognition at a national or international level, and some, such as the Royal Arms of Scotland, have been codified in heraldry, and are established, official, and recognised symbols of Scotland.
Although officially subsumed into the heraldry of the British Royal Family in 1707, the historic Royal Arms featuring the lion rampant continues to represent Scotland on several coins of the pound sterling, forms the basis of several emblems of Scottish national sports teams (such as the Scotland national football team), and endures as one of the most recognisable national symbols of Scotland.
See also the 16 people in the Hall of Heroes at the Wallace Monument in Stirling.
For a nineteenth century list of over 600 people see the Biographical Dictionary of Eminent Scotsmen.