"One is left to ponder how a name like "Noseworthy" came into being."
Derives from Norsworde - which just means northern property - an area of land in Dorset, given to the Bishop of Coutances by William I; the Bishop being Normandy-based sub-let the land to two men - who in the tradition of the day - called themselves after the land. But to differentiate, called themselves (in modern spelling) Norsworthy and Nosworthy, which they seemed to think would help. Thus, you have a number of people descended from these two men, who have very similar names - and before standard spelling was introduced - spelt their names in a number of ways - Nessworthy, Noseworthy, Nurseworthy etc.
When I visit my father I drive on Norsworthy Bridge, over the River Meavy on Dartmoor. And my father's nearest neighbours are two sisters whose maiden names were Noseworthy....
Well, you did ponder