The Molloy DNA Project informally began in 2005 when 24 Molloys submitted DNA samples to The Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation (“Sorenson”) a DNA and genealogical research institution with the goal of demonstrating how the peoples of the world are related. SMGF collected DNA samples and genealogical information from individuals across the globe to establish these connections. 

However due to the limited data that Sorenson provided the participants, a Molloy DNA Project was created on Ancestry.com which focused solely on the paternal Molloy line using Y DNA tests.

In 2014 Ancestry.com announced the retiring of their Y-DNA test and surname projects to focus on the autosomal tests which can identify paternal and maternal cousins, but only within a few generations.  The decision was then made to move the Molloy surname Y DNA project to Family Tree DNA.