'noble-looking' originates from Modern English as a compound of 'noble' and the present participle 'looking'. 'noble' ultimately comes from Latin 'nobilis', where 'nobilis' meant 'well-known' or 'notable', and 'looking' derives from the verb 'look' (from Old English 'locian') meaning 'to see' or 'to appear'.

'nobilis' (Latin) passed into Old French as 'noble', then into Middle English as 'noble' and finally Modern English 'noble'. The Old English verb 'locian' (to look, appear) evolved into Middle English forms like 'loken' and later Modern English 'look' with the present participle 'looking'. These elements combined in Modern English to form the compound adjective 'noble-looking'.

Initially 'nobilis' meant 'well-known' or 'notable' in Latin; over time the sense shifted toward 'high-born' or 'distinguished' (noble). Combined with 'looking' (appearing), the modern compound came to mean 'appearing aristocratic or dignified'.