“gubbins” definition: something unspecified whose name is either forgotten or not known

So perhaps the real name was forgotten, or deliberately hidden by the wild group by use of that word for their “family name”, and “gubbins” was somehow substituted for the actual name of the people?

Given the times, one cannot help wondering whether the group deliberately made a fearsome repution for the area, to keep people away. I find it interesting that soldiers (Cromwell’s?) were fearful of camping nearby, yet priests could go there. Given that Cromwell’s troops were involved, perhaps they were less “inbred” than was said about them, but rather a part of the “underground” of Catholics fearing for their lives, and needing a temporary place to live until they could somehow sail away to safer shores? Just a thought. It might fit in with the priest-holes and hidden closets in some grander houses as well…

At any rate, people of the name are found in other areas of GB, and seem to include some fine citizens.