I think it is an abbreviation for 'prope', meaning 'near'. Using OPC, it only seems to be the odd entry. I found, just glancing, 'ppe' Barrowford, Colne, and Catlow. 'Near' Barrowford is a bit odd perhaps, as Barrowford was the name given to one of the 'townships' of Colne chapelry, or, rather, a booth of Pendle Forest. Perhaps it meant 'somewhere in the general area of', the writer not knowing exactly where.
John Bentley's 1990 printed version doesn't give 'ppe'. Also, I didn't find any examples in the printed book of 1599-1653.
Rex
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