Survey of English Place-Names

Etymology

NEATGANGS FM, cf. le Netgange , netegonges , Nautegangedike lHy3 (l14) Gox , placea q ' vocat ' Nouteganges 1273 (l14) ib , les Neteganges de Gouxhill 1381–82AddR 37683 , a pasture called the neitgatth m16Cragg (v. gata ), (the ) Neatgangs 1648LindDep 67 , 1685BPD , 1723LindDep 67 , 1730Foster et passim , Neat Gangs 1683BPD and Neat Gang dike 1693Foster , 'the track(s) or road(s) for cattle', from OE  nēat and gang , cf. dial. gang 'a road, a track, a cattle-walk'. The earliest forms in -ou - and -au - are from the cognate ON  naut.