Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Frederick Beechey (1796–1856), naval officer and hydrographer. From north + north-easterly, after north-north-east.
Definition of north-north-easterly in US English:
north-north-easterly
adjective
North-north-east 2.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Frederick Beechey (1796–1856), naval officer and hydrographer. From north + north-easterly, after north-north-east.