'oft-noted' is a Modern English compound formed from 'oft' (meaning 'often') and 'noted' (past participle of 'note'). 'Oft' originates from Old English 'oft' meaning 'often', and 'noted' derives ultimately from Latin 'notare' via Old French 'noter' meaning 'to mark or record'.

'oft-noted' developed from the earlier two-word phrase 'oft noted' in Early Modern English; 'oft' (Old English 'oft') combined with 'noted' (from Latin 'notare' → Old French 'noter' → Middle English 'noten/noten' → past participle 'noted'), eventually forming the hyphenated adjective 'oft-noted' in later Modern English.

Initially the elements meant 'often' and 'marked/recorded', and over time the compound has retained the core sense of 'frequently mentioned' or 'commonly pointed out' in modern usage.